“There is abundant peace for the lovers of Your Torah, and there is no stumbling block for them.” Psalms 119:165

As I put this Op together, it is 2 June 2022 and updated it as of 16 May 2023, just a few days before the great Feast of Shavuot arrives…Baruch HaShem! Now more than ever, with all that is going on around us in the world, it seems like we need to truly understand His Feasts and what they represent because the major prophetic events we read about in His Word all occur on or around His annual Feasts! The term we hear used in His Word i.e. ‘The Early and Late Rains’ is a Hebrew idiom referring to HaShem’s annual Feasts…the Spring Feasts i.e. Pesach, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Shavuot and then the Late Rains i.e. Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Keep this in mind as we progress in this Op.

On a side note, I know I bash Replacement Theology constantly in my Op’s, again it is NOT directed at the people, it is solely directed at the doctrine that has been regurgitated through the centuries, unfortunately leading so many to their ruin. Baruch HaShem, He is ending this reign of deception and leading people out of the captivity to Replacement Theology just as He promised He would do in the very End of Days! So while I will frequently highlight the differences between Replacement Theology and the Word of HaShem in this Op, it is not a slap at the people. It is meant solely to hopefully get some to stop, think, analyze, reason and search out His Word for themselves and with the help of HaShem, break off that veil over their hearts and eyes so they too can see how awesome and how wonderful He and His Torah truly are.

Now, always remember when you proceed further into this Op, despite the claims of many in Replacement Theology, the Temple Services i.e. the procedures which the Kohanim, Levites and Israelites in the Temple adhere too i.e. the Tavnit (Blueprints), are NOT man made! They were given to Moshe and David by the Ruach (Spirit) of HaShem per Shemot (Exodus) 25 and I Chronicles 28!

So, with this all said, the Feast of Shavuot (erroneously referred to as Pentecost), is a VERY, VERY important Feast, one of the three pilgrimage Feasts in which all the men of Israel are required to appear before HaShem in His Temple and bring korbonot (Offerings). This Feast is so important I will go ahead and give you a little hint as to what this Feast and what this Op will entail…..this Feast is what sets apart the Bride!! No Shavuot….no Bride!!! Again, keep this in mind!

Now we can jump into this, but before we do, always remember the following because they never, ever change:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13

Remember Yeshua is the AGENT of HaShem…please read the article from the Jerusalem Encyclopedia defining the ‘Law of Agency’. Here is an excerpt: “The Law of Agency deals with the status of a person (known as the agent) acting by direction of another (the principal), and thereby  legally binding the principal in his connection with a third person. The person who binds a principal in this manner is his agent, known in Jewish law as sheluaḥ or sheliaḥ (one that is sent): the relation of the former to the latter is known as agency (sheliḥut). The general principle is enunciated thus: A man’s agent is like himself (Ḳid. 41b).” – http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/894-agency-law-of

This means, Yeshua, can ONLY act, teach, do and say ONLY what HaShem i.e. The Principal Who charged His Agent i.e. Yeshua to act on His behalf. John 5:19 says “Therefore, Yeshua, responded and said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son is able to do none at all by Himself, but only that which He sees the Father doing, because whatever He does, the Son also likewise does.” Or John 8:28 says “So, Yeshua said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Adam, then you shall know that I am He, and that I do none at all of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, these words I speak.'” Finally, John 12:49-50 says “Because I spoke not from Myself, but the Father Who sent Me has given Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life, what I should say and what I should speak.”

Is it then possible for the Messiah to come and teach a doctrine that is the complete opposite to what HaShem established in the beginning? Can the Messiah come teaching a doctrine of ‘Change’ and still legitimately claim to be from HaShem?

Before we examine the depths of Shavuot, we need to first lay the foundation for the Feast. Shavuot is on the sixth day of the Biblical month of Sivan i.e. the Third month of the year beginning with Nissan. This Feast is considered to be a continuation of Pesach (Passover). It is the 50th day after Pesach in which we have been Counting the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot.

On a side note, those who object to using the names for the Biblical months, there is biblical precedent for the names of the months as we see in the book of Esther 8:9 specifically refers to the month of ‘Sivan’ in Scripture, however, I am NOT looking to engage in arguments over the calendar issue…that is between HaShem and yourselves.

What is very interesting concerning the month of Sivan, i.e. the Third Month, is that it is in the Third Month HaShem brings Israel to Sinai and presents His marriage proposal i.e. His Torah. An excerpt from the book ‘The Book of Our Heritage’ by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, it says “Just as marriage can survive only if there is peace and love, so too the Torah, the instrument of betrothal between HaShem and Israel, could only be received when these conditions prevailed. The Torah is referred to as ‘Morashah’ (A Heritage) per Devarim (Deuteronomy) 33:4 which says ‘The Torah that Moshe commanded us is the heritage of the Congregation of Ya’akov.’ This word ‘Morashah’ is better understood as ‘Me’orasah’ meaning ‘Betrothed.'” We will discuss this much deeper coming up shortly in the Op.

To better understand Shavuot, we must understand the concept of Kedusha (Holiness)! Kedusha is very well defined by my teacher in the following statement: “The time, space and objects that are limited to us through the agency of kedusha (Holiness) are signs that as HaShem’s covenantal partners, we must relinquish some control in every sphere of our existence and reserve those elements for His service!” Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries – Jerusalem Temple Study.

Tractate Kelim 1.6-9 from the Mishnah gives us a very good example by listing locations in ascending order of severity: “There are ten sanctities – Eretz Israel (Land of Israel) is more sanctified than any of the other lands. And what is its sanctity? That we may bring from it the omer and the first fruits and the Two Loaves of bread, which we may NOT bring from any of the other lands.”

“Cities surrounded by a wall are more sanctified than this, for we send the metzora’im (Those with biblical Leprosy) out of them, and they may carry a dead body around within them until they decide (To take them outside the walls for burial, once they go outside the wall, they may not re-enter until going through the ritual purity process for having contact with a corpse). Once out, they may not bring it (The corpse) back (Inside the walls).”

“Within the walls is more sanctified than these, for we may eat there Kodashim Kalim (Offerings of minor degree of holiness) and Ma’aser Sheni (Second Tithes). Har Habayit (Temple Mount) is more sanctified than this, for zavim and zavot, niddot and yoldot (Ritually impure due to bodily discharges) may not enter there. The Cheil is more sanctified than this, for Gentiles, and one rendered impure by a corpse, may not enter there. Ezrat Nashim (Court of the Women) is more sanctified than this, for a tevul yom (One who has gone through the ritual purity process and has immersed in a mikvah, but must wait until sun down for their purity to be restored) may not enter there, but they are not liable to a sin offering for it. Ezrat Yisrael (Court of Israel) is more sanctified than this for one lacking atonement may not enter there, and they are liable to a sin offering for it. Ezrat Kohanim (Court of the Priests) is more sanctified than this, for Israelites may enter there only at a time when they are needed; for laying hands, for slaughtering, for heaving.”

“Between the Ulam (Outer portico of the Sanctuary building) and the Altar is more sanctified than this, for those with a blemish and those with wild hair (Uncut for thirty days) may not enter there. The Hekhal (The Sanctuary building) is more sanctified than this, for one may not enter there without washing hands and feet. The Holy of Holies is more sanctified than these, for only the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) may enter there, on Yom Kippur at the time of the service.”

Can you see the progression of severity as it pertains to the concept of Kedusha? Again, I ask the question, so now HaShem, Who says He never changes and His Word is firmly established for eternity, suddenly now changes His mind and says a group of people, i.e. Replacement Theology, which teaches everything about HaShem is now tossed aside and replaced and now this group of people who eat unclean, observe pagan feasts, rejects the Torah, and decides for themselves what is right and wrong, are now exactly what He has wanted from the beginning? Keep this in mind!

Shavuot has several names in His Word:

• Feast of Reaping per Shemot (Exodus) 28:16
• Feast of Shavuot per Shemot 34:22
• Feast of Bikkurim (Firstfruits) per Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:26

The Feast of Shavuot is a Korbon Feast meaning HaShem requires animal and grain offerings be brought into His Temple. These korbonot are listed in Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:17 which tells us two minchah (Bread) offerings along with what is called an ‘External Chatat (Sin)’ korbonot of a young male goat. It is called an ‘External’ korbonot because it designates where the blood will be sprinkled, in this case on the external Mizbe’ach (Altar). Further this korbonot is also referred to as a ‘Communal’ obligatory korbonot in that this goat is offered up as a Chatat for ALL of Israel.

Additionally, per Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:26-27, two bulls, one ram and seven lambs are offered up as Olah (Burnt) korbonot, which means no one eats the meat as the meat is completely burned on the Mizbe’ach as a sweet aroma to HaShem.

One of the main korbonot brought to the Beis HaMikdash (Temple) is the Two Loaves (Shtei HaLechem) which is a Minchah korbonot i.e. a Bread Offering. Now when studying HaShem’s Word and utilizing the tools He gave us to study and learn, i.e. His Oral Torah (Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, Etc), it is always very important to pay very close attention to the details! The Shtei HaLechem is no difference!

Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:17 says “From your dwelling places you shall bring bread that shall be waved, two loaves made of two tenth ephah, they shall be fine flour, they shall be baked leavened; first offerings to HaShem.”

The following excerpt from the Book of the Mitzvot #307 says “The Omer offering, a special Minchah (Bread) offering made of barley, is brought, in the Beis HaMikdash on the second day of Pesach (Passover). It permits consumption of the new crop of grain, any grain, that had taken root during the period of the preceding year’s Omer offering and this one. Fifty days later, on the Festival of Shavuos, we are commanded to bring another special Minchah. This offering, which is made of wheat, is known as the offering of the Two Loaves, Shtei HaLechem.” Notice the Minchah offered on Pesach is made of barley, but the Minchah offered on Shavuos is made from wheat?

Note #2 from the Book of the Mitzvot excerpt clarifies “As a general rule, offerings (Minchah) may not consist of leavened bread (Chametz). However, there are two offerings that are required to be made of chametz. These are the Two Loaves offering of Shavuos and ten of the forty loaves of the Todah (Thanksgiving) offering of Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:13. The Two Loaves offering is a form of thanksgiving to HaShem for this new harvest, and therefore shares this aspect with the Todah offering.”

Tractate Menahot from the Mishnah describes the Two Loaves: “The Two Loaves brought on Shavuot, thus Vayikra 23:15-17 ‘Until the morrow after the seventh Shabbat shall you number fifty days, and you shall offer a new meal offering to the Lord. You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth measures, they shall be of fine flour…’ The above were eaten by the Kohanim.”

Tractate Menahot 5.6 from the Mishnah says “…How does he (Kohanim) proceed with the waving of the of the Two Loaves and the two lambs? He puts the Two Loaves on the two lambs. According to the Gemara (Talmud Commentary), he puts them beside the two lambs, ‘on’ actually signifying ‘near’ and puts his two hands underneath, and swings forward and backward in all four directions, and upward and downward, as it is written in Shemot (Exodus) 29:27: ‘Which is waved and heaved up’, ‘waved’ meaning forward and backward, and ‘heaved’ upward and downward. The above account of Aaron’s and his sons’ induction into the priesthood serves as a model for other waving’s”

Then, per Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:19 there are two male sheep offered up as a Shelamim (Peace) korbonot. It should also be noted all of these korbonot are considered to be ‘Communal’ and obligatory meaning they all are on behalf the entire people of Israel! This should be causing you to ask yourself some questions as it pertains to what we all were taught in Replacement Theology, which I will address shortly.

The biblical reference for Shavuot is found beginning in Shemot (Exodus) 19:1, which says “In the third month (Sivan) from the Exodus of the Children of Israel from the land of Egypt, on this day, they arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai. They journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the Wilderness; and Israel encamped there, opposite the mountain.

Moshe ascended to Elohim, and HaShem called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘So shall you say to the House of Ya’akov (Jacob) and relate to the Children of Israel. You have seen what I did to Egypt, and that I have borne you on the wings of eagles and brought you to Me. And now, if you hearken well to Me and observe My covenant, you shall be to Me the most beloved treasure of all peoples, for Mine is the entire world. You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Children of Israel.

Moshe came and summoned the elders of the people, and put before them all these words that HaShem had commanded him. The entire people responded together and said, ‘Everything that HaShem has spoken we shall do!’ Moshe brought back the words of the people to HaShem.”

Very interesting! So we see Israel arrived in the Wilderness of Sinai on the first day of Sivan and it was then HaShem made the proposal to Israel on the 2nd day of Sivan! “IF you hearken well to Me and observe My covenant, THEN you shall be to me the most beloved treasure of all the peoples, for Mine is the entire world.”

Consider this from an excerpt from the ‘Book of Our Heritage’ which says “The verse from Shir HaShirim (Song of Solomon) 2:2 states: ‘Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is My beloved among the sons.’ Just as the apple tree gives fruit fifty days after blossoming, so too did Israel receive the Torah fifty days after their departure from Egypt!”

I have to stop here and address this point…I hear constantly from the adherents of Replacement Theology that anyone striving to keep the Torah is attempting to earn their salvation and thus are derived from the Kingdom of Satan for teaching lies and deceit. Well, these verses here once more prove them wrong…how do we know? Because the picture HaShem has shown is FIRST He ‘saved’ or ‘redeemed’ Israel from the bondage of Egypt due to no merit of their own and THEN He brings Israel to Sinai and we will see shortly it is AFTER He redeemed Israel that He gives His Torah and says and I will paraphrase “Now that I have redeemed you, here is My Torah to know how to live as My people!” Point is, FIRST comes salvation/redemption THEN comes the Torah to be set apart to HaShem as His Own by faith i.e. live it out, practice, study, learn and apply it, all of which are the biblical definition of faith in HaShem! Remember ‘Faith WITHOUT works i.e. Torah is dead’ per Ya’akov (James) chapter 2 in the Apostolic Writings! Okay, back on point.

So, we can see HaShem offered His proposal to Israel here on the 2nd day of Sivan, in which Israel responds with “Everything that HaShem has spoken we shall do!” Meaning Israel accepted His proposal!! Moshe then brings the response to HaShem on the 3rd day of Sivan. Baruch HaShem!

It should be noted that it is recorded HaShem did offer the Torah first to the Gentile nations, but they all refused Him. Israel is the only nation who accepted His proposal…which accounts as to why the world hates Israel so much since then to include today. This concept is derived from Devarim (Deuteronomy) 33:2 which states “He said: HaShem came from Sinai, having shone forth to them from Seir, having appeared from Mount Paran, and then approached with some of the holy myriads, from His right hand He presented the fiery Torah to them.” The commentary on this verse from the Talmud Bavli Tractate Avodah Zarah 2b says “With regard to the Revelation at Mount Sinai, our verse says, ‘HaShem came from Sinai, having shone forth to them from Seir, having appeared from Mount Paran.’ Seir is the homeland of the descendants of Eisav (Esau), and the descendants of Yishmael live on Mount Paran. This teaches that BEFORE HaShem gave the Torah to Israel at Mount Sinai, He offered it to the other nations of the world, and they all rejected His offer.”

Okay, moving on. So, now that Israel has accepted His proposal, He then tells Moshe in Shemot 19:9-15 “HaShem said to Moshe, ‘Behold! I come to you in the thickness of the cloud, so that the people will hear as I speak to you, and they will also believe in you forever.’ Moshe related the words of the people to HaShem (On the 3rd day of Sivan). HaShem said to Moshe, ‘Go to the people and sanctify (Kedusha/Kadosh/Set apart) them today and tomorrow and they shall wash their clothing. Let them be prepared for the third day, for on the third day HaShem shall descend in the sight of the entire people on Mount Sinai (6th day of Sivan). You shall set boundaries for the people roundabout saying, ‘Beware of ascending the mountain or touching its edge; whoever touches the mountain shall surely die. A hand shall not touch it, for he shall surely be stoned or surely thrown down; whether animal or person he shall not live; upon an extended blast of the shofar, they may ascend the mountain.’ Moshe descended from the mountain to the people. He sanctified the people and they washed their clothing. He said to the people, ‘Be prepared after a three day period; do not draw near a woman.’”

These verses are just astounding!! Remember HaShem reveals the end out of the beginning!! Here HaShem keeps reiterating ‘On the THIRD DAY!’ What is so significant about the THIRD DAY? Because HaShem established the pattern from the third day of creation that something or someone is revealed! On the third day dry land appeared during the week of creation! So, here on the THIRD DAY, HaShem will come down to Sinai and reveal Himself to Israel!

Consider that to HaShem a thousand years is but a day per Psalms 90:4 and 2 Kepha (Peter) 3:8, which again adds a prophetic element to this account and here is why: Hosea 6:1-2 says “Come, let us return to HaShem for He has mangled and He shall heal us; He has smitten and He shall bandage us. He will heal us AFTER TWO DAYS (Two thousand years of exile after the second Temple destruction); on the THIRD DAY He will raise us up and we will live before Him.” Remember HaShem has given mankind 7,000 years and then the World to Come. The first six days i.e. six thousand years mankind makes a mess out of things. Then on the Shabbat i.e. the Seventh Day or the last thousand years, Yeshua will rule and reign and we will rest in Him. So, how long has it been since Israel was scattered into the world after the destruction of the Temple by Rome? Approximately two days i.e. two thousand years! On the third day after the exile began, He will raise us up i.e. the resurrection of the righteous and the Gathering to HaShem on that Rosh Hashanah which begins on His calendar the seventh day i.e. the Day of HaShem! The point I am striving to drive home is that HaShem is completely consistent and unchanging…Yeshua changed NOTHING despite what Replacement Theology teaches!

We also see how HaShem gives Israel three days to purify themselves i.e. sanctify themselves….remember sanctification has nothing to do with salvation/redemption, it is all about being set apart to Him for service unto Him. Is it a coincidence then that when a person is being purified from corpse impurity during the SEVEN day purification process that the ashes the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) are sprinkled on the person on the THIRD and SEVENTH days and then are clean before HaShem? Point is, pattern…consistency…He never changes! Moving on.

Then we see from these verses in Shemot HaShem establishes boundaries because of the kedusha issue. When one draws closer to HaShem, the level of kedusha increases…such as we see in the Temple. For example, Gentiles can only go so far in the Temple, they cannot cross the Soreg (Lattice worked wall). If they do, there is a death penalty. Israelite women can go only as far as the Ezrat Nashim (Court of the Women), if they violate this, there is a death penalty. Israelite men can only go to the Court of the Israelite’s. The Kohanim (Priests) can only go so far and then finally the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest) can only enter the Most Holy Place one time a year on Yom Kippur. If he violates this, then he will die by the Hand of Heaven in that year. Further, no one is allowed to turn their back towards the Most Holy Place anywhere in the Temple…to do so is a death penalty. No one is allowed to enter the Temple with their heads uncovered…again it is a death penalty…why? Kedusha!! Point is, HaShem is kadosh, and He commands we as His people are to be kadosh like Him.

With this all said, to be His people means we MUST have boundaries in our lives and MUST be kadosh…which is best defined by my teacher, Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries, who defined kedusha as: “The time, space and objects that are limited to us through the agency of kedusha (Holiness) are signs that as HaShem’s covenantal partners, we must relinquish some control in every sphere of our existence and reserve those elements for His service!” Can we be His people when we toss His Torah out and declare it null and void as Replacement Theology teaches? Nope! It is utterly impossible! This is why Replacement Theology doctrine is so tremendously dangerous as it is leading people to their utter ruin and they, in most cases, have no idea they are running headlong into a speeding freight train, figuratively speaking. I digress…moving on.

So, then on the THIRD DAY what happens? Per Shemot 19:16-24 says “On the THIRD DAY when it was morning, there was thunder and lightning and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the shofar was very powerful, and the entire people that was in the camp shuddered. Moshe (Remember Moshe is a picture of Messiah Yeshua!) brought the people forth from the camp toward Elohim, and they stood at the bottom of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was smoking because HaShem had descended upon it in the fire; its smoke ascended like the smoke of the furnace, and the entire mountain shuddered exceedingly. The sound of the shofar grew continually much stronger; Moshe would speak and Elohim would respond to him with a voice.

HaShem descended upon Mount Sinai to the top of the mountain; HaShem summoned Moshe to the top of the mountain, and Moshe ascended. HaShem said to Moshe, ‘Descend, warn the people, lest they break through to HaShem to see, and a multitude of them will fall. Even the Kohanim who approach HaShem should be prepared, lest HaShem burst forth against them.’ Moshe said to HaShem, ‘The people cannot ascend Mount Sinai, for You have warned us, saying, ‘Bound the mountain and sanctify it.’ HaShem said to him, ‘Go, descend. Then you shall ascend, and Aharon with you, but the Kohanim, and the people, they shall not break through to ascend to HaShem, lest He burst forth against them.’ Moshe descended to the people and said it to them.”

Again, HaShem is reinforcing the concept of kedusha! This is why it makes my blood boil every time I hear Replacement Theology go on and on about how ‘The veil is torn in two, now all of us have access to the Most Holy Place and go in whenever we want, however we want and answer to no one…’ No, no, no!!! Very, very, very wrong concept….think of how many people Replacement Theology would send to their deaths if the Temple were standing in Jerusalem today and people just waltzed in and tried to enter the Heichal (Sanctuary)? There would be piles of corpses laying around the place! Again can you see just how deadly Replacement Theology truly is?

So, now HaShem has descended onto the mountain and He then says in Shemot 20:1-14 says “Elohim spoke all these statements, saying: ‘I am HaShem, your Elohim, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. There shall not be to you the gods of others in My presence. You shall not make yourself a carved image nor any likeness of that which is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth. You shall not prostrate yourself to them and you shall not worship them, for I am HaShem, your Elohim, a jealous Elohim, Who visits the sin of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations, for My enemies; but Who shows kindness for thousands of generations to those who love Me and observe My commandments (What did Yeshua, the Agent of HaShem, reiterate? ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments!’ Means again NOTHING changed!) You shall not take the Name of HaShem, your Elohim, in vain, for HaShem will not absolve anyone who takes His Name in vain.

Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it. Six days shall you work and do all your labor; but the seventh day is Shabbat to HaShem, your Elohim; you shall not do any work, you, your son, your daughter; your slave, your maidservant, your animal, and your convert within your gates, for in six days HaShem made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, HaShem blessed the Shabbat day and sanctified it.” So, what gives Replacement Theology the authority to declare HaShem’s Shabbat day now is null and void and any ole day can be Shabbat? The answer is, they CANNOT change what HaShem has decreed to be sanctified! Another reason why He will destroy Replacement Theology in the End!.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened upon the land that HaShem, your Elohim gives you. You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness against your fellow. You shall not covet your fellow’s house. You shall not covet your fellow’s wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your fellow.”

So, again we see HaShem is giving the terms of the proposal to Israel i.e. He is giving Israel the Torah! In other words, HaShem, Who is the prospective Groom proposes to Israel i.e. the prospective Bride. She accepts His proposal and then He presents to her on the 6th day of Sivan what is called the ‘Ketubah’ i.e. the marriage contract, which stipulates everything the Groom will do and is responsible for taking care of His Bride and the responsibilities the Bride has to the Groom! Folks, understand, the Torah of HaShem IS the Ketubah which means Israel IS the Bride and it is on Shavuot, the 6th day of Sivan, He gave His Ketubah!

Does this change your perception of the Torah now? Can the so called ‘Church’ of Replacement Theology be the bride? Not a chance in Hades! Why? Because the Church has tossed out the Torah declaring it ‘Bondage, dung, human feces, deception, shackles of death, destruction, etc!’ I am not exaggerating either…many, many people in Replacement Theology really do believe this and claim Paul said these things in his letters, which is utter garbage and blasphemy! So, can there be a bride when the prospective bride claims the marriage contract has been tossed out? Or to put it another way, how can there be a wedding when the bride refuses to show up and has by default married someone else i.e. Replacement Theology/Torah Abolishing ‘Jesus’ whose entire doctrine is ‘Change’ culminating with the Torah is tossed out? I digress.

Consider a prophetic verse of the End of Days which is found in the book of Shoftim (Judges) 21:25 which says “In those days (Biblical idiom to reference the End of Days) there was no king in Israel; A MAN WOULD DO WHATEVER SEEMED PROPER IN HIS EYES.” In other other words, Torahlessness i.e. Lawlessness was the way people lived in the End. People spit on HaShem and embraced what was pleasing in their own eyes and thus would decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong, hence there was no king. This verse, in my opinion, sums up Replacement Theology and the devastating effects this Satanic doctrine has had on the world. Something to consider.

Additionally, during Shavuot, it is a part of the Feast for us to read the Book of Ruth. Why the Book of Ruth? Per the Book of Ruth Artscroll Commentary the Book of Ruth is indicative of being a picture of HaShem taking things which are impure and withdrawing purity from it! Job 14:3 says “Who can withdraw purity from impurity?” Further, the Bamidbar Midrash 19:1 says “Abraham came from Terach, Hezekiah from Achaz, Yoshiah from Omon, Mordechai from Shim’i, Israel from the nations, the World to Come from this world. Who could do this? Who could command this? Who could decree this? No one but HaShem, the only One on earth!” Keep all this in mind!

THE JEWISH WEDDING PROCESS

I am going to quickly discuss the Jewish wedding process because it relates to us today.

The Groom is required to “Pay the Bride Price” for the prospective bride. This MUST be something of value such as property, money or other forms of wealth. In this case, HaShem gave His Torah, something of immeasurable value for the Bride!

It is interesting to note that on Shavuot in the synagogues, a Ketubah is read and the date ‘6th of Sivan in the biblical year 2448’ (The number of years from Creation) is the date of the Betrothal between HaShem and Israel! Further, it is acknowledged that the Torah is the Bride Price that was paid for her!

There are TWO phases to a Jewish wedding:

• Erusin = The Betrothal Phase – The husband and wife are technically married, but they do not live under the same roof together, they do not partake of marriage sexual relations, but if either party wants to end the relationship, or if either party violates the terms of the Ketubah, they will need to obtain a divorce document called a ‘Get’. Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) 3:8 says “And I saw that despite the fact that I (HaShem) divorced wayward Israel because of her adultery (Idolatry) and gave her a bill of divorce to her, unfaithful Judah, her sister, was not afraid; she too went and committed adultery.” So, HaShem DID divorce Israel………..BUT, there is hope! Since it is forbidden in His Torah for a man to remarry his divorced wife who married another man per Devarim 24:4, HaShem legally cannot remarry Israel….or can He? Again, this is where understanding the role of Yeshua comes into play as the ‘Agent of HaShem’. Yeshua comes on the scene, and what does He do? He offers Himself up and dies on Pesach, thus releasing HaShem from the prohibition of Devarim 24:4. HaShem then resurrects Yeshua on the THIRD DAY, the Ketubah is restored and renewed, and now HaShem can resume being in the Erusin stage of the marriage betrothal process! Does this change your perception of Yeshua’s role? If the Ketubah had been done away with as Replacement Theology teaches, then there is NO Marriage whatsoever! So, who is this Replacement Theology’s ‘Jesus’ married too? No one! There are no terms of marriage i.e. no Ketubah!
• Nissuin = Full Marriage – This will happen on the Rosh HaShanah HaShem has designated when Yeshua will be crowned King and then the Wedding Ceremony takes place. Remember Yeshua is the ‘Agent of HaShem’, and as HaShem’s Agent, will be the One to literally marry Israel. Just before the Nissuin ceremony the Groom must agree to the terms of the Ketubah in the presence of two witnesses, whereupon these two witnesses sign the Ketubah. Is it possible then that Moshe and Elijah i.e. Torah and the Prophets, present at Yeshua’s transfiguration in Matthew 17 are the two witnesses?

The Nissuin ceremony takes seven days in which the couple spends those seven days secluded. Again we see the picture emerging of the seven years where the new couple is secluded in the Heavenly Temple during the seven years of the Birth Pangs here on earth, erroneously called ‘The Tribulation’ period. It is here Yeshua begins His reign as King and then at the end of the seven days, He and the Bride emerge, and on that Yom Kippur, He and His Bride return to the earth where He marches into Jerusalem, defeats and destroys the False Messiah and His Replacement Theology doctrine. Then on that Sukkot, five days later, the greatest celebration ever experienced by humanity takes place for those seven days as all of HaShem’s enemies are wiped out and obliterated.

Now with this said, consider what HaShem says in Hosea 2:18-25 which says “And it shall be on that day (An idiom to mean the Day of HaShem in the End), declares HaShem, you (Israel) will call Me, ‘my Husband’ and you will no longer call Me, ‘My Master.’ And I will remove the names of the Baal idols from her mouth and they will no longer be remembered by their name. And I will seal for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky and the creeping things of the ground; and the bow, the sword, and war I will eradicate from the land, and I will lay them down in safety. And I WILL BETROTH YOU TO ME FOREVER, AND  I WILL BETROTH YOU TO ME WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WITH JUSTICE, BENEVOLENCE AND MERCY. AND I WILL BETROTH TO ME WITH FAITH, AND YOU WILL KNOW HASHEM. And it will be on that day, I will answer, declares HaShem; I will answer the heavens and they shall answer the earth. And the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel (Specific location in Israel where crops are grown). And I shall sow her to Me in the land, and I will have mercy upon the unpitied one, and I will say to those who are not My nation, ‘You are My nation’ and he shall say, ‘You are my Elohim.’” Whelp, this just destroyed Replacement Theology once and for all!

Consider what He says in Song of Songs 3:11 which says “Go forth and gaze, O daughters distinguished by loyalty to Elohim, upon the King Shlomo adorned with the crown His nation made, on that day, His Torah was given and HE BECAME ONE WITH ISRAEL, and on the day His heart was gladdened by His Tabernacle’s consecration.”

Also consider the interesting verses in Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) 23:5-6 which says speaking of Messiah Yeshua “Behold, days are coming, the Word of HaShem, when I will establish a righteous sprout from David; a king will reign and prosper and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. THIS IS THE NAME PEOPLE WILL CALL HIM – ‘HASHEM IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”“

Now read this in contrast Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) 33:15-16 which says “In those days, at that time, I will cause a sprout of righteousness to sprout forth for David, and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in security; AND THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WILL CALL JERUSALEM – HASHEM IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

What is so special about these verses? These verses show there was a wedding that took place and now both Messiah and His Bride i.e. Israel are called “HaShem is our righteousness!” Again I have to ask, can there be any truth to Replacement Theology and its doctrine the Ketubah/Torah have been tossed aside and replaced? Again not a chance in Hades!!

So, with all this said, Shavuot IS the date we celebrate as entering into the Erusin phase of the marriage between HaShem and Israel! The giving of the Torah is the Ketubah of this marriage and thus each Shavuot we acknowledge we re-dedicate ourselves to the Ketubah i.e. the Torah of HaShem.

Now consider, Yeshua dies on Pesach, is in the grave and HaShem resurrects Him on First Fruits. He is seen for the next 40 days and then what does He tell His Talmidim to do in preparation for Shavuot as is recorded in Acts 1:4? It is recorded “And meeting with them (His Talmidim), He commanded them NOT to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father which you have heard from Me.” So, Yeshua is telling them to stay in Jerusalem, go up to the Temple on Shavuot as required by the Torah, which remember requires animal korbonot to include Chatat (Sin) korbonot, and then wait for the Ruach i.e. the Promise of the Father. Why is this significant? Because this is Shavuot, the re-dedication to the Ketubah, which Yeshua just restored, renewed, and HaShem, like before, He gives His Ruach to His people to strengthen them to rebel and become a Lawless/Torahless bunch as Replacement Theology teaches? No, of course not, but His Ruach will help us KEEP His Torah i.e. the Ketubah and remain faithful to Him, leading us into all righteousness.

If Yeshua had ended everything to include the animal korbonot, then here would have been the perfect time to tell His Talmidim NOT to stay in Jerusalem and to go to another place…but instead, He tells them to keep the Torah! Again, nothing changed!

I hope and pray you can see the importance of Shavuot and why we WANT to keep this appointment with HaShem!! We WANT to rededicate ourselves to His Ketubah as His people and His Bride! If we truly love Him, then we will want to walk according to how He said to live…remember first comes salvation/redemption THEN the Ketubah/Torah as the means to express our faith, love, devotion and loyalty unto Him….not perfectly as that is unfortunately not possible right now, but striving for that. All I can say is, ‘May it be SO VERY, VERY soon in our days!!!’

Much to consider.

Shabbat Shalom!

SOURCE MATERIALS:

• The Stone Edition Chumash by Artscroll
• Song of Songs by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition Jeremiah by Artscroll
• Tehillim by Artscroll
• The Scriptures by the Institute for Scripture Research
• The Milstein Edition Shemot of The Chumash with the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition Vayikra of The Chumash with the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition Bamidbar of The Chumash with the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition Devarim of The Chumash with the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Book of Our Heritage by Eliyahu Kitov
• Tractate Menachot, Kehati Mishnah
• The Early Prophets Joshua/Judges by Artscroll
• The Book of Ruth by Artscroll

“For one who finds me (Torah) has found life and he has elicited favor from HaShem. But one who sins against me (Torah) despoils his soul; all who hate me (Torah) love death.” Proverbs 8:35-36

We are now entering the end phase of this study of Shir HaShirim! There are eight chapters to this book and this Op is the sixth chapter which has a total of twelve verses to it. I hope and pray thus far you find this book to be amazing and shows the astounding relationship between HaShem and His Bride i.e. Israel, in a much more significant light!

When studying His Tanakh (Erroneously called the Old Testament), there is a very tangible and noticeable difference between being immersed in His Word and immersed in the news/world around us! One is life and the other is death. One produces hope and the other produces despair!

Unfortunately there is much opposition against HaShem and His Torah which in turn causes intense conflict as those who rail against Him fight tooth and nail to silence anyone espousing the greatness of HaShem, His Torah and His Messiah, the real one!

We will see shortly as we begin to get into chapter six of Shir HaShirim, the nations of the world are continuing to rail and taunt Israel to attempt to get Israel to reject HaShem and His Torah and to embrace the nations gods in exchange for promised favor and peace. The irony is while this same concept is alive and well today, even if a person does give up HaShem and His Torah in favor of embracing the gods of the nations to include Christendom and its Replacement Theology doctrine and messiah, that person will still not be accepted. The truth is, there will still not be any favor nor will there be any peace! The Adversary and his minions hate anyone who belongs to HaShem and who embrace His Torah, and will continue to hate them even if that person gives up on HaShem and His Torah! They hate simply because you exist!!

There is a profound statement from the Perkei Avos (Ethics of our Fathers) which is even more relevant today than ever before, in my opinion. It states “Be diligent in the study of Torah and know what to answer a heretic. Know before Whom you toil; and know that your Employer can be relied upon to pay you the wage of your labor.” In other words, always be ready because the heretics are everywhere and they are on a feeding frenzy to attempt to not just silence those who belong to HaShem but to humiliate, discredit and destroy their reputation for in doing so they will silence the Torah of HaShem. Guard yourself from being influenced by the nonsense they spew and instead be the influencer! Keep this in mind as we proceed.

Keep in mind, Shir HaShirim Chapter four allegorizes the First Temple period in Jerusalem and Shir HaShirim Chapter six allegorizes the Second Temple period in Jerusalem in which Israel was lacking many of the qualities it had during the First Temple period.

Always remember the following eternal characteristics of HaShem and His Torah for in remembering these facts, will expose and destroy the doctrine of Replacement Theology:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

Now let’s dive deep into chapter six of Shir HaShirim and further see the state of the relationship between HaShem and His Bride i.e. Israel!

Shir HaShirim 6:1 says “Where has your Beloved gone, O forsaken fairest among women? Where has your Beloved turned to rejoin you? Let us seek Him with you and build His Temple with you.” The nations continue to taunt Israel!

The following excerpt from The Illuminated Shir HaShirim on verse one states: “The last chapters (Shir HaShirim) speak of the yearning for closeness that we feel toward our Beloved, HaShem. We heard Him knocking, reaching out to us, and when we finally wanted to reciprocate His love for us, we went to find Him, and He was gone. In this chapter we are chided by the nations of the world, ‘Where is your Elohim, and why has He forsaken you?’ The nations recognize us as the fairest of women, they see the internal qualities that should make us beloved to HaShem. If so, they ask, ‘Where is your Elohim, and why has He abandoned you to the predatory nations?'”

“The wiles of the nations are such that they even offer to help us look for Him; and in that camaraderie lies perhaps the greatest danger of all. At the time of Ezra and Nechemiah and the gathering of the Jews to rebuilt the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), we were graciously offered the opportunity of the assistance of the nations in its rebuilding.” The nations had zero interest in legitimately helping with rebuilding the Temple, they simply wanted to disrupt and ultimately stop the rebuilding from taking place!

The commentary from the Artscroll Shir HaShirim book says “Where has He gone? Why has He left you alone, widowed? The inference here is, ‘If He is as you say He is, tell us where He has gone. We will help you in your quest and no longer attempt to sway you from Him.’ This query refers to the period of 52 years after the Destruction of the First Temple during which Judah lay desolate; the roads and villages were deserted, not even cattle or birds inhabited the land.'”

“Several commentators, however, detect in these words a sincere appreciation and recognition of Israel’s superior moral and ethical qualities. Although bereft of HaShem, and subject to Exile, beaten, downtrodden, and oppressed, Israel’s sterling qualities shine forth. Even if the appreciation is tinged with envy and disdain, her qualities must be acknowledged.”

“Where has your Beloved turned, that we may seek Him with you? This verse refers to the period when Cyrus, was inspired by HaShem to allow the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. When the Jews commenced construction, the heathens harrassed them and said, ‘Where has your Beloved turned? If He is returning to you, we will help you look for Him?’ In this manner it is recorded in Ezra 4:1-2 ‘Now, when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the exiles were building the Temple to HaShem, Elohim of Israel, they approached Zerubavel and said ‘Let us build with you, for we seek your Elohim as you do…’ But their intention was sinister, designed to disrupt the construction.”

Very interesting! The taunts of the nations directed at Israel sound eerily familiar. Let’s see what the Midrash Shir HaShirim says on this verse: “The idolatrous nations of the world say to the people of Israel tauntingly, ‘Where has your Beloved gone? Has He perhaps gone to Egypt, to the Sea of Reeds, or to Mount Sinai? Where has your Beloved turned, that we may seek Him with you?’ What does the Congregation of Israel answer the idolatrous nations of the world? She answers ‘What business do you have asking about HaShem when you have no portion in Him? As for me, once I became attached to Him, do you think I can ever separate from Him? And once He became attached to me, do you think He can ever separate from me? Certainly not! Wherever He is, He will one day come back to me.'”

To sum up the tauntings of the nations to Israel: “If He had indeed gone to perform miracles for you, we would join you in seeking Him. But since this is not the case, it would appear that HE HAS ABANDONED YOU IN FAVOR OF US. THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING IN OUR WAYS!” This right here is Replacement Theology Christendom which constantly teaches Israel has been tossed aside and replaced by Christendom and its Torah abolishing Jesus, therefore the only way to truly walk with G-d requires to dump everything associated with Israel and embrace Christianity and its lawless doctrine. My point for highlighting this, this taunting of Israel is nothing new and the doctrine of Replacement Theology is the common tactic used to try and separate Israel from HaShem! Truly HaShem reveals the end from the beginning and there is nothing new under the sun! Keep this in mind while proceeding!

The Shir HaShirim Judaica Press commentary goes further and says “The nations taunt and provoke Israel, ‘Where has your Beloved gone? Why has He left you abandoned like a widow? When He returned and caused His Spirit to rest on Cyrus, and sanctioned the rebuilding of the Temple (Second Temple), and they commenced to build, they came and said to them, ‘Where has your Beloved turned? If He is returning to you, we will seek Him with you, as is stated per Ezra 4:1 ‘Now the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a Temple. And they approached Zerubbabel. Let us build with you, for like you we seek your G-d.’ But their intentions was for evil, in order to stop the work.”

Shir HaShirim 6:2 says “My Beloved has descended to His Temple garden, to His Incense Altar, yet still He grazes my brethren remaining in gardens of exile to gather the rose fragrance of their words of Torah.”

Again, we see HaShem likening His Temple to a spectacular garden to include the fragrance of the roses in His garden! He likens the pleasing aroma of roses to His Torah! Additionally, a rose is an allegorical allusion to righteousness!

The commentary from the Artscroll Five Megillos Shir HaShirim says “Since HaShem commanded us to build the Temple, He will surely be with us. The prophets refer to Israel as HaShem’s Own vineyard per Isaiah 5:7 ‘Now the vineyard of HaShem, Master of Legions, is the House of Israel, and the people of Judah are the shoot of His delight; He had hoped for justice, be behold, affliction! For righteousness, but behold, an outcry!’ HaShem descends to the yeshivos (Study halls) and synagogues to enjoy the sweet sound of Torah study. The deeds of the righteous are like the fragrant aroma of spices, in that they set an example and have an influence on others, like an aroma that spreads. Israel says HaShem rests His Shechinah on the exiled Jews wherever they are. He only appears to have abandoned Israel, but in reality, He remains with them, though He is concealed.“

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah expounds further and says “The nations of the world have taunted Israel with their oft repeated jeer, ‘Where has your Beloved gone? Has He not abandoned you?’ Israel’s response in the preceding section of the Midrash is not quite finished. It is our Midrash that completes it. My Beloved has gone down to His garden, to the world at large, to revel, as it were, in His creations. But He does not find the people in the world at large to be as He wished them to be. So, He turns to the beds of spices i.e. the people of Israel, who accepted the Torah and made themselves fitting abodes for the resting of the Divine Presence. But there, too, all is not as it should be. So, He turns to graze in the gardens i.e. to stroll in hallowed precincts of the synagogues and study halls, filled with prayer and Torah study; surely there will be found those whose lives proclaim the glory of Heaven. But even there He finds true Torah life to be lacking among many. And so, in place of grazing in those wonderful gardens, He turns to pick roses, to remove some of the finest and most beautiful flowers i.e. the righteous ones among Israel, whose disappearance will jolt the holy nation from its reverie and rouse it to true repentance. His true desire, however, is not to pluck the roses but to graze among them. Thus, when Israel repents fully and the objective of plucking the roses is achieved, the next verse concludes, ‘I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine, Who grazes among the roses.’ HaShem will no longer pluck the roses but graze among them, in the wondrous floral gardens of this earthly world.”

The next time you happen to see a rose garden or see roses sold at the store, remember what special significance roses have to HaShem and remember the pleasant aroma of a rose is likened to the aroma of His Torah and to His people Israel!

Shir HaShirim 6:3 says “I alone am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine, He Who grazes His sheep in rose like pastures.”

This verse has very special, personal meaning to me as this verse was the favorite verse of my grandmother, and is etched into her grave stone as a testament to who she was in HaShem! May we see each other very soon!

The commentary from the Artscroll Five Megillah concerning this verse says “Israel responds to its enemies insincere offer to help build the Temple. I alone am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine. The acrostic of this phrase spells ‘Elul’, the month of repentance and preparation for the Days of Awe. It is a time when Israel proclaims its allegiance to HaShem, even though it has stumbled, and HaShem responds with longing for Israel’s return. Thus, Metzudos writes, ‘Israel declares, just as I have never forsaken Him for another god, so He has never forsaken me.'”

“He Who grazes His sheep in rose like pastures. A dedicated shepherd grazes his flock in pleasant surroundings. HaShem, too, cares for Israel by rewarding it for its Torah study and good deeds, even though He is unseen when His people is in exile.”

It is not a coincidence this verse spells, in Hebrew, the acrostic ‘Elul’. Elul is the name of the sixth month in the Biblical calendar when the year begins with Nissan! It is the last month of the year when the year begins with Tishrei. It is the month of teshuvah (Repentance/returning to HaShem and His Torah). If we are going to draw near to HaShem we must first repent of our sins! On a quick side note there are several calendars in the Torah, with two major ones: From Genesis 1 – Exodus 11 it is the Civil Calendar i.e. Tishrei through Elul. From Exodus 12 – Revelation 22 it is the Religious Calendar i.e. Nissan through Adar. But this is a whole Op in itself to try and explain. I digress.

The commentary from ‘The Book of Our Heritage’ referencing Elul says “Since Elul is the last month of the year and immediately precedes Rosh HaShanah the Day of Judgment for all the world’s inhabitants, it was established as a time for repentance.” It further says “Although true repentance is always accepted, the days of Elul are especially suited for repentance, for during this period Divine mercy is aroused and HaShem’s Hand is outstretched to welcome those who return to Him.”

The following excerpt from the Illuminated Shir HaShirim sums it up best by saying “The statement of I am for my Beloved and my Beloved is for me is perhaps the most poignant answer to the nations of the world. While they claim that He has forsaken us, we issue a firm declaration of our connection to Him. The Jewish nation, particularly during the auspicious month of Elul, makes the first gesture of return to HaShem. Because I am for my Beloved, I reach out to Him in repentance, therefore He is for me, showing me reciprocal love.”

Shir HaShirim 6:4 says “You are beautiful, My love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, awe inspiring as bannered hosts.”

Now, here in verse four, HaShem responds to Israel. It should be noted, Israel at this time is divided between two kingdoms i.e. the Southern Kingdom which is comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The Northern Kingdom which is comprised of the remaining ten tribes. Jerusalem is the capitol of the Southern Kingdom and the city of Tirzah is the capitol of the Northern Kingdom.

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary on this verse is very interesting. It says “You are beautiful, My love, as Tirzah. Allegorically interprets Tirzah not as a reference to a place, but as a form of the Hebrew word which means ‘Pleasing, desirable and comments ‘You are beautiful, My love, when you are desirable i.e. when you perform deeds that please Me.’ You are beautiful when you appease My anger as Rashi comments on the verse per Leviticus 26:34 ‘Then the land will appease the wrath of HaShem.’ The Midrash renders in consonance with this: ‘You are beautiful, My beloved, when you desire. When you desire to serve HaShem, you have no need to learn from anyone else. Literally, Tirzah, as explained by the commentators, refers to the ancient Canaanite city of that name per Joshua 12:24 which was captured by Joshua. It was subsequently made a royal city by Jeroboam per I Kings 16:24, and served as the capital of Israel i.e. the Northern Kingdom until the time of Omri who replaced it with Samaria per II Kings 16:23.”

“You are comely as Jerusalem i.e. you are as comely now as was Jerusalem in its prime. Jerusalem the city which was referred to as perfect in beauty per Psalms 50:2 and Lamentations 2:15. As the Targum paraphrases ‘Beautiful is the Second Temple which you have built for Me, as was the First Temple which King Solomon built for Me in Jerusalem.”

“Awe inspiring as bannered hosts. Israel’s dread is upon all the people now, just as it was when their regiments marched in the desert.”

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah on this verse says “Rabbi Yehudah bar Simone interprets this verse with regard to the sacrificial offerings brought in the Holy Temple. HaShem says to Israel ‘You are beautiful, My love, as Tirzah, these being a reference to the sacrificial offerings, as it states regarding sacrificial offerings, ‘And it shall become accepted for him, to atone for him’ per Leviticus 1:4. Comely as Jerusalem, this being a reference to the consecrated offerings that are eaten throughout Jerusalem.”

It should be noted there are two classes of korbonot (Offerings) i.e. Most Holy Offerings and Less Holy Offerings:

• Most Holy Offerings may be eaten ONLY inside of the Temple Courtyard or they must be completely burned on the Altar.
• Less Holy Offerings are slaughtered inside the Temple but may be eaten anywhere within the walls of Jerusalem.

This is all connected to the concept of Holiness i.e. Kedusha. The best definition of what Kedusha is, is from Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries which says “The time, space and objects that are limited to us through the agency of kedusha (Holiness) are signs that as HaShem’s covenantal partners, we must relinquish some control in every sphere of our existence and reserve those elements for His service!”

Kedusha is the key to growing in our relationship with HaShem! We are saved per se by faith but then we put that faith into action per learning and walking in the Torah. Are we capable of being kadosh (Holy) by our own merits and actions? Not at all. It takes HaShem and His Ruach (Spirit) to get is there, but we have to choose to pursue being kadosh. Torah and His Temple are the tools He has given us so we can see, learn and live what kedusha is. Its a life long effort! Baruch HaShem for His unwavering mercy, compassion and grace!

Shir HaShirim 6:5 says “Turn your pleading eyes from Me lest I be tempted to bestow upon you holiness more than you can bear. But with all your flaws, your most common sons are as dearly beloved as the children of Jacob in the goat like procession descending the slopes of Gilead Mountain.”

The Artscroll Five Megillos commentary says “According to Rashi, it is as if a bridegroom tells his adored fiancée that when he sees her eyes he is overwhelmed beyond control with conceit at his good fortune. Alternatively, the Beloved pleads with His bride to turn her gaze back to Him as she had in the past. Allegorically, the eyes are the Sages, whose intense Torah study increases the strength of the Heavenly realm. Although Rashi and Metzudos appear to contradict each other, both are based on the principle HaShem craves the spiritual devotion of Israel.”

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary explains this verse by saying “Allegorically, HaShem addresses the Jews concerning the appurtenances (Accessories) of the Second Temple. Truly you are as beautiful to Me now as you always were. But beware, in this Temple, it will be impossible to return to the Ark, Cherubim and Curtain, those things which excessively endeared you to Me in the First Temple and inspired Me to manifest a special love to you, until you were faithless to Me. That excess of love caused you to take Me for granted and led you to betray Me. It was more love than you could bear.”

“Another interpretation: ‘Turn your pleading eyes from Me’ says HaShem. Endure the exile and don’t anticipate the End because there is an appointed time for every event. Your eyes overwhelm Me and fill Me with compassion, but the Edict has already been proclaimed; until the pre-established time, you must faithfully bear the yoke. Rather, turn away your eyes, and if you repent, I will respond accordingly by redeeming you sooner.”

The reference to the ‘Goat like procession…’ is believed to be a reference to those who have taken a Nazarite Vow per Numbers 19. In taking a Nazarite Vow, the person is prohibited from shaving his hair for at least 30 days as he sets himself apart to HaShem i.e. holiness (Kedusha). “In Exile they (A Nazarite) could not offer a sacrifice at the completion of their period of Nazarite Vow, nevertheless, they were beloved of HaShem.”

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah commentary on this verse enlightens the meaning in a parable. It says “This can be compared to a king who became angry at the matron i.e. his queen, and expelled her and sent her out of the palace. What did she do? She went and hid her face behind the pillar outside the palace. When the king passed and saw her, the king said, ‘Remove her from before my face, for I cannot bear to see her pain.’ The king in the parable said to remove the matron because her presence aroused his love for her, yet he could not bring her back because of her misconduct.”

In my opinion, this enhances what Yeshua did on Pesach with His death and resurrection. As the Agent of HaShem, Yeshua’s death released HaShem from His Own law which says He could not remarry the bride He divorced for adultery i.e. idolatry. By Yeshua, as His Agent, dying, this released HaShem from this prohibition in His Torah and thus He could restore and renew the marriage contract with His Bride! My point is, once more this completely and utterly destroys Christendom’s Replacement Theology doctrine. HaShem did NOT toss out His Torah nor His Temple and He certainly didn’t toss Israel aside and replaced Israel with a new entity i.e. the Church which is free to make all the same mistakes and more which Israel did, only this time HaShem supposedly blesses this entity and tosses Israel into Hell and blesses the Church for its utter rebellion and idolatry. Its utter madness and insanity and why per Scripture, this doctrine does NOT work! I digress.

It should be noted, HaShem says He gave wayward/rebellious Israel a bill of divorce for her adultery i.e. Idolatry per Jeremiah 3:7-8. At this point, this is where Israel became a divided kingdom i.e. the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom. In doing so, the bill of divorce was for the Northern Kingdom i.e. the ten tribes of Israel. The Southern Kingdom comprised of Judah and Benjamin was not considered to have been divorced by HaShem! This backs up precisely what Yeshua said in Matthew 15:24 which He said He came ONLY for the lost sheep of the House of Israel i.e. the Northern Kingdom! Can you again see understanding the Temple and the Torah will absolutely put the pieces of the puzzle of the Apostolic Writings in their proper places? By Christendom tossing out the Torah and the Temple, results in very incorrect understandings and allows for idolatry and Replacement Theology to flourish! Moving on.

The Shir HaShirim commentary from Judaica Press says regarding this verse: “The allegorical meaning is as follows ‘In this Temple (Second Temple), it is impossible to restore to you the Ark, the Ark cover and the Cherubim, which made Me proud in the First Temple, to show you great affection, until you betrayed Me.'”

Shir HaShirim 6:6 says “Your mighty leaders are perfect, as a flock of ewes come up from the washing, all of them unblemished with no miscarriage of action in them.”

The Shir HaShirim Artscroll commentary on this verse expounds further and explains “Your teeth (Literal Hebrew translation) i.e. leaders are entirely good like a flock of ewes (Female sheep). The simile of Israel to the ewe is appropriate because the ewe can be utilized entirely for holy purposes. Its wool is used for the purple thread of tzitzis; its flesh for sacrifice; its horns for the shofar; its leg bone for the flutes; its sinews for harp strings; its skin for the timbrel i.e. the musical instruments in the Temple. The heathen nations (Idolatrous/Pagan worshiping nations) are compared to dogs, for they are entirely unusable for holy purposes.”

As has been previously discussed in earlier chapters of Shir HaShirim, concerning kedusha (Holiness), just as a quick review of being kadosh/kedusha really means, its being set apart to HaShem and reserved to service unto Him by formal, legal restrictions! Its not a quick prayer and then just a thought/concept as were taught in Christendom, its physical and literal and has spiritual applications as well. Shabbat is kadosh i.e. separated unto Him and separate from the rest of the week. Not one person is ever called ‘kadosh’ in His Word, but the people of Israel, collectively are called ‘kadosh’. HaShem, Himself IS the epitome of being kadosh! His Temple is called the ‘House of Kedusha’, because the closer one draws unto HaShem, the higher level of kedusha is required! In fact there is a direct link between Shabbat and His Temple per Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:30 in which HaShem commands ‘Keep My Shabbat AND reverence My Sanctuary!’

For example, consider the following list of ten levels of kedusha referenced from Tractate Kelim 1.6-9 from the Mishnah:

1. Eretz Israel (Land of Israel) is more sanctified than any of the other lands. And what is its sanctity? That we may bring from it the omer and the first fruits and the two loaves of bread, which we may not bring from any of the other lands.
2. Cities (Within Israel) surrounded by a wall are more sanctified than this, for we send the metzora’im out of them, and they may carry a dead body around within them until they decide. Once out, they not bring it back.
3. Within the walls of Jerusalem is more sanctified than these, for we may eat there kodashim kalim (Lesser holy korbonot i.e. offerings) and ma’aser sheni (Tithes of produce).
4. Har HaBayit (Temple Mount) is more sanctified for zavim, zavot, niddot and yoldot may not enter there.
5. The Cheil (Outside area of the Temple) is more sanctified than this, for Gentiles and one rendered impure by a corpse may not enter there.
6. Ezrat Nashim (Court of the Women in the Temple) is more sanctified than this, for a tevul yom may not enter there.
7. Ezrat Yisrael (Court of Israel in the Temple) is more sanctified than this for one lacking atonement may not enter there. Ezrat Kohanim (Court of the Priests in the Temple) is more sanctified than this as they may only enter there for laying hands, for slaughtering or heaving.
8. Between the Ulam and the Altar is more sanctified than this, for those with a blemish and those with wild hair may not enter there.
9. The Heikhal (Sanctuary building in the Temple) is more sanctified than this, for one may not enter there without washing hands and feet.
10. The Holy of Holies is more sanctified than these, for only the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest) may enter there on Yom Kippur at the time of the service.

Can you see the progression? The closer one draws to the Throne of HaShem i.e. the Most Holy Place in the Temple, the higher level of kedusha is required! Remember, this is ALL given by HaShem to teach us and simply for our benefit!! I recently did an Op on this topic if you wish for more info, refer to the following link: https://torahandtempleinvestigations.com/2023/03/01/for-your-benefit/

Shir HaShirim 6:7 says “As many as a pomegranate’s seeds are the merits of your unworthiest within your modest veil.”

The Judaica Press Shir HaShirim commentary on this verse expounds and discusses how HaShem is discussing the Temple in Jerusalem and likening it to a pomegranate: “Your temple is like a split pomegranate. The disciples, who reached the level of giving instruction in the Torah, who were near the eyes of the community i.e. the Sanhedrin, as the temple is near the eyes, were like a split pomegranate, which, although not a complete pomegranate, is tasty and beautiful. So were they full of knowledge of the Master in study and in deed.”

The Illuminated Shir HaShirim book highlights this verse and enhances its translation: “Your temple is like a split pomegranate, containing seeds as numerous as mitzvot (Commandments in the Torah), which even the least worthy among you possess, from behind your veil.”

The following excerpt from an article from Chabad concerning the pomegranate:

“Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness because it is said to have 613 seeds, which corresponds with the 613 mitzvot, or commandments, of the Torah. For this reason and others, it is customary to eat pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah. Moreover, the pomegranate represents fruitfulness, knowledge, learning and wisdom.”

From the book ‘Koren Tanach of Israel Samuel ‘ discussing the pomegranate says the following “The pomegranate is counted among the seven species with which the land of Israel is blessed per Deuteronomy 8:8, and the spies brought back a pomegranate to demonstrate the quality of the land’s produce per Numbers 13:23. Pomegranate trees bloom in the beginning of the summer. The beauty of the fruit and its form has served as a source of inspiration for objects and decorations. Elohim commanded that their shapes be affixed to the hem of the High Priest’s garment per Exodus 28:33-34, and four hundred were placed on the top of the pillars in the Temple per I Kings 7:42.”

Again we see how HaShem uses His creation to teach us His principles of life and His Torah!

Shir HaShirim 6:8 says “There are sixty queens, representing the descendants of Abraham, and eighty concubines, the generations of Noah, and countless maidens, like the nations of the world.”

There is a ton of information to unpack in this single verse!! Remember nothing is a coincidence and nothing is in His Word just because! There is a purpose for everything in His Word! Remember, this verse is HaShem addressing His bride Israel!

Let’s first start off exploring the reason behind the numbers 60 and 80 and what they represent:

“There are many peoples in the world, but for Elohim, there is only one, His ‘dove’, the perfect one, Israel!”

The Artscrol Shir HaShirim commentary explains this verse “There are sixty queens i.e. the family heads who descended from Abraham:

• The sixteen of Keturah
• Isaac and his two children
• Ishmael and his twelve family heads
• The twelve sons of Jacob
• The sixteen family heads of Esau
• A total of 60!

“The eighty concubines refers to Noah and his descendants until Abraham. The family heads descending from those leaving the Ark to rebuild and repopulate the earth add up to eighty. And just as queens are superior to concubines, so are Abraham and his descendants more esteemed than all others.”

“And maidens without number. Each of the above having branched out into many families. Allegorically, therefore, render ‘nations without number’. The use of ‘Maidens’ for ‘Nations’ is consistent with its use in Shir HaShirim 1:3 which says ‘Therefore have maidens i.e. nations, loved you.'”

Now we will explore what the meaning of the numbers sixty and eighty represent! I think you will be amazed!!

From the book Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers, it explains the significance of sixty:

“The complete expression into the natural world within the number six extends to 60. Whereas six is completion on an individual scale, 60 is a synonym for the complete k’lal (Assembly of Israel). The number 60 relates to the full expression of the Jewish congregation. The count of Israelites assembled at Sinai, as numbered in the category of men between the ages of 20 and 60, was 600,000 strong, often termed 60 myriads. The symbol of the collective general roots of Israel, the number 60 myriads was the hallmark of HaShem’s Chosen Nation. Significantly, this number is said to constitute the perfect, unified national identity of Israel.”

So, we see the number 60 relates to the entirety of Israel which is comprised of everyone, Jew and Non-Jew, who have CHOSEN to serve HaShem and walk in His Torah as His people!!

Further, this book says “60 Tractates: The expansion of six into 60 is similarly apparent in the acquisition of Torah wisdom in the Oral Torah. The six orders of the Mishnah, that were formulated by Rabbi Yehudah the Prince are subdivided and arranged as a total of 60 tractates. This, too, serves as an extension of the Torah laws that are then to be enacted in the physical realm. The 60 tractates are the completed works of the six orders of the Mishnah.”

“The number 80 is associated with ‘Gevurah’ or ‘Might’. The quality associated with man reaching the age of 80 years of that of power or might. Obviously, the ultimate gevurah is wielded only by HaShem, Who, in rabbinic literature, is described with the phrase, from the Almighty. In other words, HaShem is the One with Absolute Might. He called Creation into existence and can easily overpower any force at will by negating its existence or by other Divine means.”

Creation itself is only in existence because HaShem has desired and willed it! Likewise, the strength we each have in our bodies to include heart beats, breathing, walking, etc, is all because HaShem has willed it and there is nothing any of us can do to thwart His plans!

Shir HaShirim 6:9 says “Unique is she, My constant dove, My perfect one. Unique is she, this nation striving for the truth; pure is she to Jacob who begot her. Nations saw her and acclaimed her; queens and concubines and praised her.”

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim sums it up best by saying “Of all the nations mentioned above, she i.e. Israel, is My chosen one, like a perfect dove, wholehearted with her mate.” Remember, doves have one mate for life! They do not jump around from one mate to another. They pair up with a mate and remain wholeheartedly faithful to that one mate, thus we see in the allegory, HaShem choses Israel i.e. His Bride and remains faithful to her for eternity! Again, destroys the doctrine of Christendom and its Replacement Theology! Moving on.

“As it is written per II Samuel 7:23 ‘And what nation is there on earth unique like Your people Israel?’ My perfect one. The Jews, children of Jacob i.e. the perfect man per Genesis 25:27, the nation which wholeheartedly endures punishment without complaint. One is this nation which has followed Me into the desert without questioning from where their sustenance will come, trusting in Me implicitly. This is the meaning of My perfect one, the one who has accompanied in absolute perfection.”

Israel isn’t perfect in the sense of being free of sin, but Israel is perfect as HaShem defines it, because true Israel shares one lofty motive: to comprehend Torah in its fundamentals and its truth!

Remember the Torah is likened to The Tree of Life in the Garden! The following excerpt from the Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah says “Tree of Life is a metaphor for the Torah, i.e. It is a Tree of Life to those who grasp it per Proverbs 3:18. HaShem looked into the Torah and created the world. Since the world was created through the Torah, it follows that the entire world and everything therein is incorporated in the Torah. This includes even intangibles i.e. All wisdom, disciplines, and skills. These too may be found in the Torah.”

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah expounds on this verse further and says: “One is My dove, My perfect one. This is a reference to Abraham, as it is stated, Abraham was but one per Ezekiel 33:24. Abraham is called ‘one’ because he was unique before HaShem in His world, in that he was the only one who publicized His Oneness. The dove metaphor is apt for Abraham, because a dove clings to its mate, and Abraham clung faithfully to HaShem. He is likewise called ‘My perfect one’, because he was tested with ten trials and was found perfect.”

“Unique is she, this is a reference to Isaac, who was an only son to his mother, but not to his father, for Abraham had other children. She is pure to the one who begot her. This is a reference to our forefather Jacob, who was known with certainty by she who begot him to be completely righteous. Nations saw her and extolled her. These are a reference to the twelve progenitors of the Tribes, as it is stated, ‘The news was heard in Pharaoh’s palace saying Joseph’s brothers have come and it was pleasing in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants per Genesis 45:16. Queens and concubines. This is a reference to Joseph, as it is stated, Pharaoh said to his servants ‘Could we find another like him, a man in whom is the Spirit of HaShem?’ per Genesis 41:38. With this, Pharaoh was saying, ‘If we travel from one end of the world to the other, we will not find another like him!'”

On a side note, remember there are two terms for Messiah: Messiah ben Yosef (Messiah son of Joseph) and Messiah ben David (Messiah son of David). Messiah son of Joseph i.e. the suffering Messiah, like Joseph who was sold to the Egyptians and suffered enormously. Then there is Messiah ben David, i.e. the Messiah who rules on His throne from Jerusalem. Messiah ben Joseph has already shown up with Messiah Yeshua and His death and resurrection. We are currently waiting for Messiah ben David to arrive and rule from Jerusalem!

Shir HaShirim 6:10 says “Who is this that gazes down from atop the Temple Mount, brightening like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, brilliant as the sun, awesome as the bannered hosts of kings?”

The Artscroll Shir Shirim commentary says “This verse also contains an allusion to HaShem, Himself, recalling the verse per Psalms 14:2 ‘HaShem looked down from heaven upon the children of men’; also Deuteronomy 26:15 ‘look down from Your holy habitation from Heaven.’ Beautiful as the moon, pure as the sun. Israel in the days of the building of the Second Temple, was granted self government at the pleasure of King Cyrus. Therefore, it is compared to the moon which does not possess the power of illumination, but can only reflect the light of the sun.” Can you see once more HaShem uses His creation to teach us His principles? HaShem is likened to the sun and Israel His bride to the moon because the moon reflects the light of HaShem i.e. the sun!

Consider Judges 5:31 which says “So may all Your enemies be destroyed, O HaShem! And let those who love Him be like the powerfully rising sun. And the land was tranquil for forty years.” The commentary explains “Just as the sun rises with a powerful display of light and climbs to the top of the sky at midday, so may those who love HaShem always rise in splendor. The Sages interpret this term as an illusion to Torah scholars. The true source of light is the Torah; therefore, its wise men are likened to the sun, for it is only through their teachings that people can see the world as it truly is.”

This verse is summed up with the following “Who is this nation that arose from greatness like the dawn’s increasing light, being like the dawn’s increasing light, being first a pale reflection like the moon, and then becoming as pure as the strength of the sun itself, until it became as awe inspiring as an army with banners i.e. its fear was upon all the nations, as it is written per Deuteronomy 28:10 ‘And all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the Name of HaShem, and they will be afraid of you.’ For when the Jews marched in the desert, banners held high, surrounded by the Pillar of Cloud and Fire, smoke rising the nations witnessed this awesome sight and were filled with fear. And this is the meaning of awesome as an army with banners, for in heathen eyes, the camps of the Jews were like camps of the Shechinah (Presence of HaShem).”

Once more, can you again see the importance of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem as it pertains to Israel today? Again, the rebuilt Temple is NOT the domain of the False Messiah, this is just more anti-Semitic/Replacement Theology garbage doctrine Christendom spews out.

Shir HaShirim 6:11 says “I descended upon the deceptively simple holiness of the Second Temple to see your moisture laden deeds in valleys. Had your Torah scholars budded on the vine, had your merit laden righteous flowered like the pomegranates filled with seeds?”

The commentary explains “The Master of the Universe spoke: ‘At the beginning of the Second Temple, built through the hands of Cyrus, I caused My presence to dwell in order to see the goodly actions of My people, to see if perchance the wide men had increased and multiplied, those who are compared to the vine, and if their scions filled with good deeds like pomegranates. Israel is compared to a nut, one sees only a shell, but its nutritious content is not visible. When it is opened, however, it is full with nutritious food. Similarly, Israel is modest and unpretentious; her scholars are not conspicuous, nor do they praise themselves publicly. But, when they are examined, they are found to be full of wisdom. Also, when a nut falls in dirt, its contents are not defiled. So, too, although Israel, exiled among the nations, endures great tribulation, its actions are not defiled.”

In other words, HaShem is looking for people who are not just confessing with their mouths their faith in Him, He is looking for that confession to be married up to action i.e. Torah study and Torah implementation as a way of life!! Remember that verse from the Apostolic Writings per James 2:18 “I will show you my faith BY MY WORKS!” What is he referring too? He is referring to living a life of Torah while believing Yeshua is the Messiah!

Shir HaShirim 6:12 says “Alas, I knew not how to guard myself from sin! My own devices harnessed me, like chariots subject to a foreign nation’s mercies”

This is the last verse of chapter six and it is Israel responding to HaShem! The commentary says “Hearing HaShem’s praise of her glorious past, reflects on her current plight and responds sadly. I did not know; my soul set me as chariots of a noble nation. In the literal sense, this verse, both in continuity and translation is difficult, nearly incomprehensible. But the allegory is clear; ‘I did not know how to avoid sin in order to remain in my glory and greatness. Instead, I stumbled into the sin of causeless hatred and controversy which reached a peak in the time of the Hasmonean Kings Hyrkenos and Aristoblus, two brothers who battled one another for the throne, until one them invited Rome to enter the land. He accepted the throne from Rome, and became its vassal. From that point on, my own soul caused me to become as a chariot ridden upon i.e. persecuted by the nobility of foreign nations.”

“Just as you are astonished at me, she replied, ‘I, too, am astonished!’ Applying this verse, I am astounded at my elevation. It applies to the Jews in Egypt: When they became free men, the nations asked them, ‘Yesterday you were repulsive and worked with brick and mortar, and today you are free and master it over the whole world!’ I too, am astonished i.e. I don’t know by what merit I was liberated and achieved this elevation. It is only to HaShem’s mercy that this can be attributed.”

“It applies to David: ‘Yesterday he was fleeing from the land, and today he reigns over all of Israel per II Samuel 8:15.'”

“It applies to the righteous Joseph: ‘Yesterday per Psalms 105:18, his feet were hurt with fetters, his person was lid in irons’, and today per Genesis 42:6 Joseph was the governor over the land.”

“It applies to Mordechai: ‘Yesterday per Esther 4:1 ‘He put on sackcloth with ashes’ today per Esther 8:15 Mordechai left the Kings presence clad in royal apparel.'”

Can you see the theme of chapter six in totality? HaShem is able to take that which was intended for evil and work it to the good, our good and our benefit, but we must make the choice to serve Him, not just with our mouths but with our actions, decisions and time! We may not completely understand how to walk in the totality of His Torah, especially here and now in exile in Babylon i.e. America, but our hearts desire to walk perfectly with Him and reflect His light, like the moon! He takes this into consideration and is able to work with our circumstances. But, one day, may it be so very soon, we will be gathered to Him and then we can finally learn to walk in the totality of His Torah!! Again, may it be so very soon!

Much to consider!

SOURCE MATERIALS:

• Shir HaShirim by Artscroll
• Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah by Artscroll
• The Illuminated Shir HaShirim by Artscroll
• The Steinsaltz Chumash by Koren Publishers
• Talmud Bavli by Artscroll
• Talmud Bavli by Steinsaltz and Koren Publishers
• Yerushalmi Talmud by Artscroll
• The Writings by Artscroll
• The Prophets by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition of The Chumash with the teaching of the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Midrash Kehati Edition
• The Stone Edition Tanach by Artscroll
• The Scriptures by the Institute for Scripture Research

“Thus said HaShem, Master of Legions: Behold, I am saving My people from the land of the east and from the land where the sun sets; and I will bring them and they will dwell within Jerusalem. They will be a people unto Me and I will be a Elohim unto them, in truth and in righteousness.” Zechariah 8:7

There is significant progress in the efforts to obtain a pure red heifer as commanded by HaShem in Numbers 19 as it relates to the building of the Third Temple, may it be so very soon in our days!

For a quick background and review on the red heifer, I would refer you to the Op I posted almost two years ago concerning the red heifer and its significance: https://torahandtempleinvestigations.com/2021/06/27/purity-the-ashes-of-the-red-heifer/

This all said, the main point of this posting is the attached below link to the interview (Recorded in April 2023) conducted by my good friend and teacher Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries and the head of Boneh Israel (Building Israel) and the state of the red heifer candidates they currently have in Israel. This interview is almost an hour long and very, very informative and encouraging! HaShem IS moving and time is nearly at hand!! May it be so very soon!!

Here is the link to the video: https://www.facebook.com/HatikvaMinistries/videos/1065771238144421

I will leave it here. “Thus said HaShem, Master of Legions: Let your hands be strong, you who hear these days these words from the mouths of the prophets, which were spoken on the day that the foundation was laid for the Temple of HaShem, Master of Legions, the Sanctuary, to be built.” Zechariah 8:9

Shalom!

“Who can stand before His fury, and who can rise against His burning wrath? His wrath is poured out like fire and rocks become shattered because of Him. HaShem is beneficent, a stronghold on the day of distress, and mindful of those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:6-7

I know, I usually begin each Op pointing out how perilous the days are in which we currently live, but to say that today is just pointless. It is a true statement none of us have seen the world in the current perilous state as it is before us today! World War III is literally just days or weeks away and this is NOT an understatement or an exaggeration! Financial distress keeps increasing each week it seems. The corruption and debauchery in our government and society is beyond description. Idolatry of every imagination is readily available at literally just a click away. Whatever one’s heart desires, can be at their doorstep in a blink of an eye! To sum it up: Right is wrong and wrong is right.

As I put this Op together, we are seven days past Pesach (Passover) 2023. We know the significance of Pesach i.e. the miraculous deliverance and rescuing of Israel from the bondage of Egypt by the Strong Hand of HaShem! But there is so more to it than this in that Pesach is the beginning of redemption but culminates on Shavuot, fifty days later!

What is the significance of these fifty days and why does HaShem command we are to count each day? This will be addressed in the Op, but first and foremost, always remember the following eternal characteristics of HaShem and His Torah:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

“You shall count for yourselves, from the morrow of the rest day, from the day you bring the Omer of the waving, SEVEN WEEKS, they shall be complete. Until the morrow of the seventh week shall count, FIFTY DAYS; and you shall offer a new meal offering to HaShem.” Leviticus 23:15-16

So you may be asking what the significance of counting these fifty days after Pesach is? The commentary on these verses is enlightening. It says “Unlike all the festivals, Shavuos is not identified as a specific day in the calendar, but as the fiftieth day after the Omer offering (The new barley harvest). Beginning on the second day of Pesach, when that offering is brought, forty nine days are counted, and the next day, the fiftieth, is Shavuos. This recalls the days in the Wilderness immediately after the Exodus, when the Jewish people excitedly counted the days, each day improving and elevating themselves, so that they would be worthy of receiving the Torah. The fact that Shavuos does not have a calendar date of its own, but is attached to Pesach by the seven week count, symbolizes that the freedom of Pesach is not an independent value to Israel, but is significant as the prelude to the giving of the Torah. The count does not begin on the first day of Pesach, because that day is reserved for celebration of the Exodus and its miracles, because that event established undeniably that G-d alone controls nature and changes it at will to suit His purposes.”

In other words, Pesach begins the process of our redemption and deliverance, by miraculous events orchestrated by HaShem, and then we spend the forty nine days counting in an effort to improve our walk with HaShem. It has NOTHING to do with earning or obtaining salvation as many in Christendom constantly accuse me of teaching, salvation has already been given by HaShem i.e. Pesach, now BECAUSE of being saved by Him, we now strive to improve ourselves!

Nothing is a coincidence with HaShem, thus, what is the significance of the number fifty? Per the book Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers it states “The number fifty is the distinguished number of transcendence. The milestone of the 50th is reached after passing through all the necessary stages. Here the cumulative levels combine to arrive at the ultimate level, one that transcends everything that came before it.”

Keep this in mind when examining the Exodus from Egypt! HaShem delivers Israel out of bondage and then forty nine days later brings Israel to Mount Sinai on Shavuos and gives Israel the Torah! This book further says “The momentous event that commemorates the birth of the Children of Israel as a nation was the departure from Egypt. Not only is there a twice daily remembrance of this milestone, but much of the Commandments observance is marked by repeated references to the Exodus. Its central importance is due to this event celebrating the Jewish People’s brand new state of existence. Their deliverance was not only from physical slavery but also from the Egyptian worldview. The Exodus released them from an outlook constrained by the natural realm. The redemption catapulted Israel into an alternate state of reality. They exchanged the restricted for the extraordinary. It was the seminal event that would define what Israel had now become i.e. HaShem’s Chosen People. Their transcendental quality was now evident in the aftermath of their trailblazing liberation. This historic event of the Exodus is mentioned in the Chumash (Five volumes of the Torah) a total of 50 times! And the redemption process which started on the first day of Pesach finally reached its completion stage 50 days later at Sinai. Indeed, HaShem freed the Children of Israel in order that they accept the Torah. The Divine instruction given to Moshe at the burning bush was to lead Israel out of Egypt and bring the nation to serve HaShem at that mountain!”

We see here the redemption process BEGAN at Pesach and then culminated at Mount Sinai on Shavuos when HaShem gave Israel His Torah! Now, as I have been recently accused by the Christians of teaching death, destruction, deception and bondage i.e. the Torah of HaShem, is it then possible HaShem delivers Israel from bondage, brings them to Mount Sinai on Shavuos and then shackles Israel with an even greater, more destructive bondage called the Torah? Shaking my head in disgust! The only way to make this foundational doctrine of Replacement Theology work is for HaShem to be a liar and a fraud! We know without a doubt HaShem is absolute truth and purity! I digress.

There are 613 Mitzvos (Commandments) in the Torah. Number 306 is ‘The Obligation of Counting the Omer’ per Leviticus 23:15-16. Counting the Omer is when we each acknowledge each day as the weeks draw closer to Shavuos i.e. the 50th day after Pesach! I will include in this Op a Counting of the Omer calendar for 2023 published by Chabad. You will then see exactly what Counting the Omer looks like!

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/sefirah/omer-calendar_cdo/jewish/Omer-Calendar.htm

The Book of the Mitzvos discusses #306 i.e. The Obligation of Counting the Omer. It states “Among the underlying purposes of the mitzvah, according to the basic understanding, is its focus on the anticipation of the day of our receiving the Torah. For the sole purpose of Israel is its adherence to the Torah, and, in fact, it is for the sake of the Torah that the heavens and earth, and Israel were all created, as it is written per Jeremiah 33:26 ‘If not for My covenant of day and night, I would not have established the statutes of heaven and earth.’ This is the purpose and the reason for which the Jewish people were redeemed and went out of Egypt, namely, so as to receive the Torah on Mount Sinai and fulfill it; as HaShem said to Moshe at the Burning Bush on Mount Sinai, when He sent him to redeem the Jewish people per Exodus 3:12.”

Did you catch that? All of HaShem’s creation is created solely for the sake of His Torah!! Now does it make much more sense as to why the Adversary works so hard to convince people His Torah is the epitome of death, destruction, bondage and deception as most of Christendom teaches today? If the Adversary can get people to separate themselves from HaShem’s Torah, then people cannot know HaShem and certainly cannot know the Messiah of HaShem i.e. Yeshua. Moving on.

The commentary referencing Jeremiah 33:26 is very enlightening. It says “The covenant of day and night refers to the Torah which must be studied day and night, as per the verse in Joshua 1:8 ‘And you shall contemplate it day and night.’ Accordingly this verse is understood to mean that were it not for the Torah studied by the Jewish people day and night, HaShem would not have established the statutes of heaven and earth. The Torah thus gives purpose to the heavens, the earth, and the Jewish people!”

The commentary from the Book of the Mitzvos goes on and says “Now, because of this, that is, since the Torah is the sole purpose of Israel, and it is on account of the Torah that they were redeemed from Egypt and elevated to all the heights that they attained, we are therefore commanded to count from the day after the first Yom Tov day of Pesach, which is the day of the Exodus, up until the day of the giving of the Torah. This is dome so that we internalize the great desire for that honored day, which is longed for in our hearts. We are thus like a slave who awaits the evening shade, who continuously counts , wondering when the time for which he longs, the time at which he will go free shall arrive. The act of counting indicates to the person that his entire yearning and his entire desire is to reach that time toward which he is counting.”

Again, we see the connection between redemption and the Torah! First we are redeemed i.e. saved, and THEN HaShem gives us His Torah to know how to live and walk in service unto Him BECAUSE we are saved! With this said thus far, does the concept of the Messiah of HaShem dying on Pesach to free His people from the Torah make any sense what so ever? Obviously its utter and complete demonic Replacement Theology nonsense!

Why is this so important today in 2023? Well, in my opinion, since HaShem reveals the end from the beginning and there is nothing new under the sun, we acknowledge Pesach and the beginning of our redemption and then count 49 days i.e. Counting the Omer, getting ourselves ready for Shavuos on the 50th day in which we receive His Torah i.e. the culmination of freedom! Is it possible HaShem could act this Shavuos and freedom be more literal than spiritual i.e. the Final Redemption? I cannot say it won’t or cannot happen as only HaShem knows when that day will come, but judging by world events around us, I believe that day is very rapidly approaching!

May it be so very soon in our days!!!

SOURCE MATERIALS

• The Book of the Mitzvot by Artscroll
• The Chumash with the Teachings of the Talmud by Artscroll

“You who fear HaShem! Trust in HaShem! He is their help and their shield!” Psalms 115:11

We are living in great and perilous times, unlike anytime in our lifetimes! We very literally are on the cusp of World War III and that is NOT an exaggeration! The level of debauchery and rebellion against HaShem within societies around the globe has reached the Days of Noah level or perhaps even surpassed that level, in my opinion anyways!

A few times a week I will peruse the various Christian blogs, not looking for an argument, but simply to get a tone for what is being spewed out of the pulpits today and it is shocking! The level of outright disdain, disgust and dare I say hatred of HaShem and His Torah is astounding! Why do I bring this up? Because the deeper the world falls into chaos, is again in my opinion, directly connected to the Replacement Theology doctrine being spewed from the pulpits. Lawlessness (Without the Torah) will increase in the Last Days and it certainly is today, without question!

One of the common complaints/teachings from various leaders within Christendom today is the Torah of HaShem is literally evil! The Torah is the source of death and destruction and anyone who attempts to learn the Torah has forfeited their salvation and is destined for the deepest, darkest pits of Hell (No joke!). Further, they teach the Torah is what deceives and is the main reason why ‘Jesus’ came, was to keep the Torah, so humanity would no longer be bound to these chains of bondage and death! And then these same teachers will claim their ‘Jesus’ is G-d in the flesh, the very G-d Who gave the Torah, Who says His Torah is good, a tree of life, Who never changes, Who reveals the end from beginning and does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets. If this is the case, then this ‘Jesus’ character is either a master deceiver and a liar or he is bi-polar and needs to be put on medication (Sarcasm)!

My point for starting this Op off citing this, is to once again show the massive deception of Replacement Theology is out there and its growing by the day! Consider the so called ‘revival’ going on at the various colleges around America today! Is it legitimate? Not a chance! Match what is happening there to what we read in the Tanakh and the Apostolic Writings and can assure you they do NOT match up! Its all part of the conditioning of the masses to accept the False Messiah when he comes on the world scene, which I believe is very soon to happen. I believe this man is already on the world scene today, just waiting for the moment to be propelled to his place of global power and who will he claim to be or claim to come in the name of? Jesus Christ!

This all said, this weeks Torah portion, as I prepare this Op, is Tetzaveh, found in Exodus 27:20-30:10/I Samuel 15:2-34. Last weeks Torah portion i.e. Terumah, cites the foundational verse which sets the tone for the rest of Scripture….Exodus 25:8 “They shall make a Sanctuary (Mishkan) for Me, so that I may dwell among them!” The Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the Mikdash (Temple), are interchangeable and one in the same and the center of just about everything discussed in His Word! Keep this in mind as we proceed, but as always, never forget what HaShem says about Who He is and His eternal characteristics:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

“The Temple in Jerusalem is over, done away with and has been replaced by the Church! The only reason for the Temple in Jerusalem in the Last Days is for the Antichrist!” Very common statement from Replacement Theology doctrine today which has absolutely zero truth to it!

To continue on from Exodus 25 above, Exodus 25:9 says “Like everything I show you (Moshe), the form (Tavnit/Blueprint) of the Mishkan, and the form (Tavnit/Blueprint) of all its implements; AND SO SHALL YOU DO!” So, we see HaShem is the One Who is giving Moshe the blueprints of everything concerning the Mishkan/Mikdash! But it is here in this seemingly insignificant statement at the end which He says ‘And so shall you do!’ which in Hebrew means ‘You do it EXACTLY as HaShem has shown to do and you may not deviate at all, it must be exact!’ Further, in Hebrew, this verse has the letter ‘Vav’ in it. The letter ‘Vav’ the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which according to Rashi, changes the tense of the command from just applying to the generation of Moshe’s day, but applies to EVERY generation, to include ours today in 2023 and beyond! Consider that!!! If you are reading this Op, this command to build the Mishkan/Mikdash applies to you right now!

The term ‘Mishkan/Mikdash’ are both interchangeable terms. Shevuos 16b from the Talmud Bavli states “It is well with your assertion that the Temple is sometimes called a Tabernacle, for it is written ‘And I will place My Tabernacle in your midst’, which refers to the Temple as well. Leviticus 26:11. From this we see that any dwelling for the Divine Presence that is placed among you is called Mishkan. This includes both the Tabernacle and the Temple. Moreover, this verse is a promise of a future establishment of a Tabernacle, whereas the Tabernacle of the Wilderness had already been erected by the time this verse was said to Moshe. Hence, what Mishkan was HaShem promising to place among them in the future if not the Temple that was eventually to be built in Jerusalem? Thus we see the Torah refers to the Temple as Mishkan.”

So, the question must be asked, ‘Is the Torah and the Temple of HaShem meant to benefit HaShem when we obey Him?’ Can man do anything to provide something for HaShem? Absolutely NOT! HaShem is One and He has everything and has need of nothing! So, why then does He command man to obey His Torah and to build Him a Mikdash? Deuteronomy 10:12-13 sums it up best “Now, O Israel, what does HaShem, your Elohim, ask of you? Only to fear HaShem, your Elohim, to go in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve HaShem your Elohim, with all your heart and with all your soul. To observe the commandments of HaShem and His decrees which I command you today, FOR YOUR BENEFIT!”

An excerpt from the Book of the Mitzvos #95 addresses this question and says “HaShem is not requesting anything from you when commanding that you observe His mitzvos; rather, due to His great goodness, He desires to bestow goodness upon you, so all that He asks of you is for your benefit. Deuteronomy 10:14 states ‘Behold! To HaShem your Elohim are the Heavens and the Highest Heavens, the earth and everything that is in it.’ That is to say, He has no need for your performance of mitzvos, since everything is His; rather, it is due to His love for you that He commanded you to perform them, so as to provide you with merit. In short, the reason HaShem gave us His mitzvos is to enable us to attain closeness to Him and benefit from His goodness.”

So, does the Sovereign of the Universe, actually require humanity to build for Him a structure for Him to dwell in or is He using this command force us to interact with Him and learn concepts we would normally shrug off? Continuing from the Book of the Mitzvos #95 says “And now that we have reached this conclusion with regard to the mitzvos of HaShem, blessed is He, in general, it compels us to say further that our constructing a Temple dedicated to HaShem, blessed be He, and our conducting of prayers and offerings in it before Him, are all in order to prepare the hearts of man to be focused upon His service, may He be exalted. It is not because He needs to dwell among men or to come beneath the shelter of their roof, even if they should construct it most fittingly, with cedars of Lebanon or with cypress. Indeed, the Heavens and Highest Heavens cannot contain Him, and they, in fact, exist only by His Will! Surely, then, is it absurd to think that a building constructed by man would be able to contain Him, or that His Honor should need such a building; Heaven forbid the thought! Thus, the matter is most obvious and clear, that all this is commanded in order to improve our corporeal nature; for physical entities become improved through the actions and through consistently performing them, the thoughts of the heart become purified, cleansed, and refined. It follows that since HaShem wishes for the betterment of His creations, as we have said, He therefore commanded us to establish a place that is pure and spiritually clean, with the ultimate degree of cleanliness, so that the thoughts of men should be purified there and so that their hearts should become attuned toward Him there.”

Again, we see HaShem gives these commands to keep His Torah and to build Him a Mikdash, not for His benefit, but for ours!! And why? Because His Torah and His Mikdash teach us of Who He is and what kedushah (Holiness/being set apart to Him) is truly like! In other words, we grow in our walk with Him by learning, studying and walking in His Ways. We will know Who He is and we will know His Agent i.e. Messiah Yeshua, Who teaches only HaShem’s doctrine and HaShem says both His Torah and Temple are eternal! Messiah CANNOT be someone who teaches the Torah and Temple are now tossed out and replaced, its biblically impossible! Keep this in mind!

The Book of the Mitzvos #95 further says “Within the confines of the purity and sanctity (Kedushah) of the Beis HaMikdash (Temple), man elevates his perspective and nurtures an ability to recognize HaShem’s Attributes and to engage in mitzvos OUT OF LOVE for Him.” So, not out of some religious rote do we pursue HaShem, but out of love, devotion and loyalty to Him and how is that done? Only one way! The Torah and the Temple! Yeshua taught exactly the same doctrine as the Agent of HaShem!

Why did HaShem choose the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as THE PLACE to put His Name and Throne on earth? The continued commentary from the Book of the Mitzvot #95 says “HaShem, blessed is He, chose the specific location of the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple), and prepared it for the betterment of man. Perhaps He chose this location because it is precisely the center of the world, and the center is more select than the edges, or, perhaps He chose it for some other reason that may exist. Blessed is He, Who knows the reason!”

Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 2.2 from the Mishneh Torah addresses this and says “It is universally accepted that the place on which David and Solomon built the Altar, the threshing floor of Onan, is the location where Abraham built the Altar on which he prepared Isaac for offering. Noah built an altar at that location when he left the ark. It was also the place of the Altar on which Cain and Abel brought offerings. Similarly, Adam, the first man, offered an offering there and was created from the place where he would find atonement.” Once again, we see HaShem is unchanging and He reveals the end from the beginning!

Now does it make much more sense why He commands us in Ezekiel 43:10-11 for us to learn EVERYTHING i.e. Blueprints, gates, structures, services, garments, offerings, functions about His Temple? In doing so we will become ashamed of our sins and truly repent and seek His Face out of love, devotion and loyalty!! I can attest to how studying His Temple has drastically changed my life and my walk and understanding of HaShem and certainly the Apostolic Writings! Now, the Apostolic Writings make sense and fit perfectly within the Tanakh! Further, what Paul teaches in that Christendom has so horribly distorted, ‘We are the Temple of HaShem’! In other words, we are to take what we learn in the Temple of HaShem in Jerusalem and apply those principles to our lives and live them out in service to HaShem!

This all said, I am embedding the following video from my great friend and teacher Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries. This video was recorded 28 Feb 2023 and is from Joe’s weekly Chavurah teaching every Tuesday night on his website. This video entitled ‘Build Me a Mikdash’ discusses the Mishkan/Mikdash extensively and ties in with this Op (Used with Joe’s permission):

https://www.facebook.com/HatikvaMinistries/videos/730084035428196

Much to consider!

SOURCE MATERIALS

• The Book of the Mitzvot by Artscroll
• The Chumash with the Teachings of the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Schottenstein Talmid Bavli by Artscroll

“If one turns his ear aside from hearing the Torah, his prayer, too, will be considered an abomination.” Proverbs 28:9

Everyone one of us today in this life at some point or another will be challenged in some way or another and at some point all of us will be confronted with a situation likened to the Bitter Waters! What am I referring too? This Op is going to address this…I hope anyways. For your information: This weeks Torah portion, as I prepare this Op, is ‘Beshalach’ found in Exodus 13:17-17:16 and it is here the Bitter Waters are discussed!

What is the single most common objection uttered today from Replacement Theology Christendom as it pertains to the Torah of HaShem? “Oh, you are teaching a works based salvation, one must keep the Torah in order to earn their salvation!” This accusation is absolutely, one hundred thousand percent false! HaShem reveals this many times and through many different ways in His Word via different persons, circumstances and challenges. First, He saves, THEN He presents His Torah, not to obtain salvation, but BECAUSE we are saved so we can know Him, know how to serve Him and know how to live in this life here and now with regards to how we interact with others!

We will see this concept shortly as it pertains to the Bitter Waters. However, as always, never forget the eternal, unchanging characteristics of HaShem as He reveals Himself in His Word:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

In order to fully understand what the significance is regarding the topic of this Op i.e. the Bitter Waters, we first must completely understand HaShem’s Torah is likened to fresh, clean, drinkable water! Isaiah 55:1 says “Ho, everyone who is thirsty, go to the water (Torah), even one with no money, go, buy and eat; go and buy wine and milk (Torah is likened to wine and milk) without money and without price.” The commentary on this verse says “Water is a metaphor for Torah and wisdom, for just as the world cannot exist without water, it cannot exist without the Torah. Furthermore, just as one who is thirsty yearns for water, a wise soul yearns for Torah and wisdom. Torah is compared to water to teach that just as water leaves heights and flows to lower places, Torah wisdom can only remain in one who is humble. A humble person realizes that he has much to learn. He will not let pride prevent him from learning from others or from asking questions that will expose his lack of knowledge.” Keep this in mind!

With this said, lets jump into examining the topic of this Op. At this point in the Torah portion, HaShem has miraculously delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, brought them through the Sea of Reeds, drowned the Egyptian army and is leading them into the Wilderness. Israel is singing and praising HaShem for His miracles, kindness and salvation! On a quick side note, notice already, if we are paying attention, we would see through this example of the Exodus from Egypt, HaShem FIRST saves and THEN He offers the Torah after salvation has been granted. He didn’t Tell Israel, “Here is My Torah, if you do it perfectly for a month, I will deliver you!” What He did say is He would first deliver Israel, destroy Egypt, take Israel to Himself as His people and then offer them the Torah! Once more destroys Christendom’s anti-Torah doctrine! Moving on.

Exodus 15:22-24 says “Moshe caused Israel to journey from the Sea of Reeds and they went out to the Wilderness of Shur; they went for a THREE DAY period in the Wilderness, but they did not find water. They came to Marah (Hebrew Word meaning ‘Bitter’), but they could not drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter (Poisonous); therefore they called its name Marah. The people complained against Moshe, saying, ‘What shall we drink?'”

There is much to glean from these verses which we can apply to our lives today and I will explain. Understand, at this point in the Wilderness, Israel still had not received the whole Torah yet, but HaShem had given them bits and pieces to hold onto, study, learn and apply to their lives.

The commentary on these verses are very enlightening. It says “The word ‘Water’ hints to Torah. Thus, when our pasuk (Verse) says that the Jews went for a three day period…but they did not find water, it means that they went three days without studying Torah. Since they did not study Torah for three days, they became spiritually exhausted.”

One of the concepts of the Exodus from Egypt which we can apply to each of ourselves today is the concept of Egypt representing our ‘Yetzer Hara’ i.e. our Evil Inclination, in which we are constantly battling against and enslaved too every day. The ‘Yetzer Hara’ is what each of us today battles down i.e. fending off temptations, giving in to sin in all its disastrous forms! Did Israel destroy Egypt themselves through their own efforts? Of course not! It was HaShem Who destroyed Egypt and delivered Israel because only He can do so! Baruch HaShem!! Just like the Egyptians, our Yetzer Hara seeks to keep each of us separated from HaShem and certainly wants us to steer clear and reject His Torah and why? Consider this little nugget from the Chumash on Exodus 15:22 which says “The ONLY way to overcome the Yetzer Hara is by studying Torah! Since the Jews did not study Torah for three days, they became exhausted and could not fight against their Yetzer Hara!” Thus what happened? Per Exodus 15:24 it says “The people complained against Moshe, saying, ‘What shall we drink?'”

Here is Israel, they have just experienced and witnessed HaShem’s miraculous deliverance from Egypt, HaShem has destroyed Egypt, led Israel through the Sea of Reeds and provided for and sustained Israel, and what is their response to the Bitter Waters? They complain against Moshe! They should have trusted in HaShem to provide a way!

How many times have we been in a situation, which is extremely nerve wracking, our stress is through the roof because we don’t know how the situation can be resolved in our favor, and HaShem suddenly acts in a manner we didn’t even think of, and then just a few days later, we are already complaining against Him? I know personally I have fallen into that trap many, many times and then feel horrible afterwards because I know I have failed Him once more. I had allowed my weak, fleshly desires i.e. my Yetzer Hara get the better of me. But, thank HaShem, His mercies are fresh and anew every morning. This doesn’t give a free license to sin, on the contrary, we are to strive to fight off our Yetzer Hara and hold onto the hope in HaShem, in which one day, hopefully soon, the Final Redemption will occur and we will be forever delivered from the bondage of our Egypt i.e. Yetzer Hara!

This doesn’t in any way diminish what Yeshua accomplished on Pesach (Passover) with His death and resurrection, on the contrary it further explains what He did! He didn’t die to release us from the Torah, if He claimed to do so, He just disqualified Himself as being Messiah and would qualify as the Adversary. In reality, He died as the Agent of HaShem to restore and renew the marriage contract between HaShem and His bride i.e. Israel! Keep this in mind as we proceed.

Consider what Tractate Bava Kamma 82a from the Talmud Bavli says “The Gemara teaches that the Evil Inclination renews itself and threatens to overpower a person every day. Nevertheless, HaShem provided the Torah as an antidote. However, when a person goes three days without learning the Torah, he becomes spiritually exhausted i.e. weakened, and then even Torah study will not readily enable him to break the Evil Inclination’s grip.”

So, here is Moshe, standing with Israel, at the spring of bitter water, has absolutely no idea what to do or how to fix the issue. The people need water desperately and so he calls out to HaShem for help. Exodus 15:25 says “He (Moshe) cried out to HaShem, and HaShem showed him a tree; he threw it into the water and the water became sweet. There He established for the nation a decree and an ordinance, and there He tested it.”

What is HaShem teaching us here through this verse? Moshe was shown a tree, HaShem commanded Moshe to take a branch and throw it into the Bitter Waters and the waters became sweet i.e. pure, clean and drinkable! This tree is a picture of the Tree of Life and the Torah of HaShem!! He says His Torah is an eternal Tree of Life to those who take hold of it per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160!

Now here is the crux of the matter: Exodus 15:26 says “He (HaShem) said, ‘If you (Israel) hearken diligently to the Voice of HaShem, your Elohim, and do what is just in His eyes, give ear to His commandments and observe all His decrees, then any of the diseases that I placed in Egypt, I will not bring upon you, for I am HaShem, your Healer.'”

The commentary on this verse says “HaShem promises, any of the diseases I placed in Egypt, I will not bring upon you, for I am HaShem, your Healer. But if HaShem will not bring diseases upon the Jews, there is no need to heal anything. So why did HaShem say, for I am your Healer? This phrase is a continuation of the beginning of the verse, ‘If you will hearken diligently to the Voice of HaShem.’ The verse means, if you will hearken, etc, then, any of the diseases I placed in Egypt I will not bring upon you. But if you will not listen to Me, I will place these diseases upon you. Nevertheless, once you repent and obey My commands I will cure those diseases, for I am HaShem, your Healer.”

So, very quickly, what is the gist of this Op? The gist is the fact we all, no matter who we are, or where we are at, WILL come into phases of our lives where we will be faced with having to drink the Bitter Waters and will see no other way. Our choices are to complain and search to go back where we came from or stop, take a breath, remember Who HaShem is and all of His eternal, unchanging characteristics, and call out to Him for help. He will then answer and He will make a way to purify those Bitter Waters, and make them clean and drinkable in only the way He can!

Will we follow Him diligently and consistently? Sadly no, we won’t, because we are still weak and succumb to our Yetzer Hara! Our hope is in Him while our salvation is secure in Messiah Yeshua! Remember, FIRST He saves/redeems and THEN He offers His Torah! I can guarantee you, when you first start looking into the Torah of HaShem, it truly is and very literally like drinking in a glass of cold, fresh, sweet water, in which you will realize you knew you have been missing something in life, but you never knew what it was until that moment! Then from that moment on, you drink more and more and you see, you want more and more!

Consider this last thought from the book I have entitled ‘My Father, My King’ which states “Hear your Father, your King, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, saying to you: ‘When you are engaged in doing My will, the difficulty increases the merit of your deeds. If it is difficult for you to study Torah and you do so anyway, the difficulty increases the reward. If you are trying to pray and find it difficult, the difficulty increases the reward. If you try to do an act of kindness and it is difficult, the difficulty increases the reward. The more difficult it is for you to do My will, the greater the love for Me that your deeds express. And the reward will be commensurate. When it is difficult to do a mitzvah, realize that I am the One Who has created the difficulty. And just as it is I Who created that difficulty, I also created your ability to overcome it. Ask Me for My help and I will be with you. With My help no obstacle will be too difficult for you to overcome. No mountain will be too high and no river will be too wide to keep you away from doing My will.'”

Much to consider.

SOURCE MATERIALS:

• The Scriptures by the Institute for Scripture Research
• My Father, My King by Artscroll
• Talmud Bavli by Artscroll
• The Prophets by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition of The Chumash with the teaching of the Talmud by Artscroll

“He who loves purity of heart, and whose lips are gracious, the King (HaShem) is his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Corruption, deceit, lies, robbery, treachery, violence, immorality, debauchery, wickedness and fury. All of these words describes life in 2023, wouldn’t you agree? Probably many more adjectives could be added if we were to dwell on this more. No doubt, the state of the world today in 2023 is beyond what any of us could have imagined thirty years ago and it seems to fall more and more each and every day.

You may be thinking this is a very depressing way to begin a new Op, but I thought it to be important to acknowledge reality and to understand and accept that yes, life is indescribably bad for many people today, and as such, we each, myself included, need something to remind us in the face of this reality of just Who HaShem is and He has NOT forgotten us, hope still applies to each of us today! We just need help in seeing it and grabbing onto it! This will be a short Op as well.

I thought it best to integrate the most recent Torah portions into this Op i.e. Parashot Va’era and Bo, both of which encompass Shemot (Exodus) 6:2-13:16 and deeply describes the conditions in which Israel, living in slavery and bondage in Egypt, cried out to HaShem for deliverance and He heard their cries and acted. In His acting against Egypt, He levied a total of TEN specific judgments upon Egypt and their leader i.e. Pharaoh and shielded His people Israel at the same time. It is during these ten judgments He smashes and destroys the most powerful nation, economically and militarily, on the planet, and brings His people out and to Himself….hint hint hint!

We will be discussing these ten judgments among other important aspects of the number ten in His Word throughout this Op, but first, always remember and never lose hold of the following Scriptural facts of Who HaShem is:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

One of the most important verses to hold onto regarding how HaShem manages and rules His creation is found in Isaiah 46:10 which says “From the beginning I foretell the outcome (End), and from earlier times, what has not yet been, but I say and My plan will stand, and I will carry out My every desire.”

This verse here in Isaiah 46:10 absolutely destroys Christian Replacement Theology and thank HaShem it does! If HaShem reveals the end from the beginning, then how can the beginning be tossed away with and replaced with something brand new? Its utterly impossible! Keep this in mind as we proceed because it will be very important!

When reading HaShem Word from the beginning and all throughout the Tanakh (Erroneously called the Old Testament), we see the number ten shows up beyond calculation. HaShem must be communicating something to us, if we will just take the time to explore and learn!

A book I have titled ‘Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers’ by Levene Hartman and published by Artscroll, is an amazing book and based upon the Tanakh and the Talmud, both sets i.e. Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi. Let’s explore the significance of the number ten and see how each instance of its revealing is used and what HaShem may be telling us, especially how it may apply to each of us today in 2023!

The number ten as revealed by HaShem relates to an integrated system, meaning a full set of individual parts combines to make up a communal whole! Ten typifies kedushah (Holiness) as there are ten levels of kedushah, each level requiring a higher level of sanctity the closer one approaches to His Throne and the resting place of HaShem’s Divine Presence (Shechinah) in the Most Holy Place in the Temple. Ten is the pathway to reach spiritual perfection and to the World to Come. Ten is the basis of the Jewish (Biblical) numbering system. Now this seems kind of overwhelming, but hang on.

In the Tanakh it is recorded for us in Hebrew, HaShem spoke ten utterances in bringing forth all of Creation! The following from the ‘Perkei Avos’ (Ethics of our Fathers) 5.1 says “With ten utterances the world was created. The Rambam enumerates the ten Divine Utterances used to create our world. If you count the times the verse says ‘And He said’, Bereishis (Genesis) does not describe an utterance per se, it alludes to the creation of the heavens and the earth. It is as if the verse states that HaShem ‘said’ to create the heavens and the earth, for they too, needed an utterance to come into existence. We may ask, though, why does the Torah not say explicitly, ‘HaShem said that there should be a heaven and an earth?’ Why was the creation of the heavens and the earth different? The heavens and the earth, with everything in them, were brought into existence from complete and total nothingness right away, on the first day of Creation. The Hebrew word ‘Bara’ used in the first verse of the Torah hints at this, for it connotes a creation of something from nothing, as opposed to all the latter utterances, that are expressed as ‘And He said…’, which connotes something formed from an already existing entity. This follows the opinion of Rabbi Nechemiah, that on the first day of Creation the entire world came into being.” So, with ten utterances, HaShem brought forth the heavens and the earth and spread them out over six days!

The first generations of mankind were themselves grouped into two sets of ten i.e. ten generations from Adam to Noach and ten generations from Noach to Abraham! Remember, ten generations from Adam to Noach and then the flood which wiped out the earth because of sin! Perkei Avos 5.2 says “There were ten generations from Adam to Noach, to show the degree of His patience; for all those generations angered Him increasingly, until He brought upon them the waters of the Flood.”

Perkei Avos 5.4 says “Our forefather Abraham was tested with ten trials, and he withstood them all, to show the degree of our forefather Abraham’s love for HaShem!” Why is this so important? Because the Torah teaches us Abraham was the one who saved the world after HaShem had waited for so many generations. Abraham taught the world to do teshuvah (Repentance) and spread HaShem’s Name throughout Creation, something Adam was to do. This was the purpose for HaShem creating man in the first place i.e. to spread His Name throughout the world and to reflect the image of HaShem! Hint hint hint!! I seem to recall Yeshua being referred too as The Second Adam i.e. to reflect the image of HaShem and spread His Name while encouraging and teaching people to do teshuvah! Can you see, nothing changed and HaShem reveals the end from the beginning?

This weeks Torah portion i.e. Parashot Bo which is found in Shemot (Exodus) 10:1-13:16 and continues to give the account of how HaShem delivered Israel from the bondage and slavery of Egypt. He uses His Creation to wage war on His enemies, specifically ten judgments which are in order as follows:

1. Blood
2. Frogs
3. Lice
4. Wild Animals
5. Pestilence
6. Boils
7. Hailstones
8. Locusts
9. Darkness
10. Death of the Firstborn

The Egyptians had deified all of creation and completely rejected HaShem, therefore HaShem used these elements of His Creation to show them the folly of their idolatry. Further it was to show them there is only One True King Who rules over all of His Creation and can use any element of His Creation for His purposes and there is nothing mankind can do about it!

What is astounding is the Ten Utterances of Creation correspond to these ten plagues which fell upon Egypt! The First Utterance of Creation i.e. ‘In the Beginning’ is the inverse of the Tenth Plague i.e. the Death of the Firstborn! The Second Utterance of Creation i.e. the creation of light is the inverse of the Ninth Plague i.e. Darkness!

Perkei Avos 5.5 tells us “Ten miracles were performed for our ancestors in Egypt, and ten miracles at the Sea. Ten plagues did the Holy One, Blessed is He, bring upon the Egyptians in Egypt and ten miracles at the Sea.”

All of these miracles were done to prepare Israel for meeting with HaShem at Mount Sinai where He would offer His Torah to the world, and they rejected it. He then offers His Torah to Israel who accept it. His Torah is condensed into the Ten Commandments which encapsulates the entirety of His Torah! We now know, it is through His Torah, which He uses as the tool to bring about His Creation!! Again, another gigantic example how His Torah cannot be done away with as Christendom teaches because to do away with Torah would be to destroy Creation!

Other examples of ten in His Word includes the Tenth Day of the month of Tishrei i.e. Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year! Prior to that, there are the Ten Days of Awe (Teshuvah) which begin at sunset on Rosh HaShanah and end on Yom Kippur!

During the Yom Kippur Temple Service performed by the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest), he utters the Four Letter Divine Name of HaShem a total of ten times…….Remember Yom Kippur is the most holy annual Feast of the year.

The tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the letter ‘Yod’. Per the book ‘The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet’ published by Artscroll, it defines the letter Yod as the following: “The symbol of creation and the metaphysical. It is the numerical value of ten. Isaiah 26:4 says ‘For with His Name (Yah), HaShem is the Rock of the universe.’ Tractate Menachos 29b from the Talmud Bavli states ‘HaShem created the universe with the letters Yod and Hey which form the Divine Name ‘Yah’. With the letter Yod He created The World to Come and with the letter Hey He created this world.”

Remember, Yeshua Himself carries on this theme and likens the Kingdom of HaShem to ten virgins per Matthew 25 who carry their lamps going out to search for the Bridegroom.

Ten connects to creation, to deliverance and to HaShem and His Torah!! All of which we are commanded to remember and hold onto in our lives so we are not overwhelmed and overcome by the stress, frustration, anxiety, anger, debauchery, corruption and filth which we all are being constantly inundated with!

Can you see the mastery HaShem has over all of His creation just by this simple number ten and all it represents? If He reveals the end from the beginning, He is unchanging, and there is nothing new under the sun, then during this weeks Torah portion i.e. Bo, in which we read about HaShem using TEN plagues to deliver His people, then can we derive hope and confidence today HaShem will do so once again and very soon? Can we see these specific plagues HaShem uses against Egypt once more emerging in the world and America today?

Studying and learning His Torah and His Temple and then striving to apply what we are learning into our lives is the ONLY way we can develop a relationship with HaShem and know Who He is and know Who His Messiah really is. It has nothing to do with salvation, its all about relationship and in doing so, developing hope and confidence in Him in these very dark and troubling times we live in!

Something to consider and Shabbat Shalom!

SOURCE MATERIALS:

• The Milstein Edition Isaiah by Artscroll
• Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers by Artscroll
• The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet by Artscroll
• The Koren Talmud Bavli
• The Kehati Mishnah

“I rejoice over Your Word, like one who finds abundant spoils. I hate falsehood and I abhor it, but Your Torah I love.” Psalms 119:162-163

HaShem, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Elohim of Israel, is awesome, wonderous, beyond our limited comprehension and yet He desires to have a deep, personal relationship with each individual person. Sadly, we all succumb to our Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) and embrace our sinful, fleshly desires, rather than pursue developing a deep, personal relationship with Him. But, we are a work in progress! This is precisely why Shir HaShirim is my most favorite book of the Tanakh (Erroneously called the Old Testament), because this book shows us just how much HaShem desires and pursues His Bride i.e. Israel!

This book also reveals what exactly Yeshua did when He completed His mission as HaShem’s Agent on Pesach (Passover). Was it to end the Torah, change the Feasts of HaShem, change Shabbat, render the Temple obsolete and replace Israel with Christendom and the Church? No, absolutely not. Only the False Messiah, whose nature and main characteristic is all about change, claims to have done all that under his doctrine i.e. Replacement Theology.

This all said, this Op will be a direct continuation from the previous Op which discussed Shir HaShirim chapter five, verses 1-2. Like that Op, there is an enormous amount of information we will be covering and I hope I can capture the remaining verses of chapter five in this one Op.

Keep all this in mind as we continue to explore chapter five of Shir HaShirim. But as always, never forget the following eternal characteristics of HaShem:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

Shir HaShirim 5:3 says: “I have doffed my robe of devotion; how can I don it? I have washed my feet that trod Your path; how can I soil them?” This is Israel responding to HaShem’s knocking on the door as shown in verses one and two.

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary says “Continuing the metaphor, Israel reacts to HaShem’s knocking on the door with the following rationale: I had already taken off my robe, how shall I don it? I had already washed my feet, how can I soil them? Allegorically, ‘I had already accustomed myself to the service of other gods and I had even accepted their ways as proper, how can I possibly return to HaShem?’ The verse in the literal sense reflects of thoughts of a straying wife who wished not to open the door for her husband.”

“Hearing the above reply, the Sovereign of the Universe replied to them through the prophets: ‘And as for Me, I have already removed My Presence from your midst. How then can I return, seeing that you have done these evil things? And having cleansed My feet of your uncleanness, how can I soil them in your midst through your wicked actions?'”

“Metzudas David explains this as one, who, ready to retire, is reluctant to dress again. Allegorically he refers it to the Jews in Babylon who became acculturated in their new country and were not well disposed towards sustaining the hardships of travel back to Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel).”

Why this catches my attention is because remember HaShem says there is nothing new under the sun and that which has been is that which shall be per Ecclesiastes 1:9? Babylon is today the United States, no doubt, hands down! And just like then, many Jews who live in the US today are not only eligible but also strongly encouraged to return to the Land of Israel today, but many are too comfortable in Babylon and have ended up embracing idolatry and other gods.

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah has an interesting perspective on this verse. It says “I have taken off my robe, how shall I don it? On the day when the wicked Nebuchadnezzar (Of Babylon) fought against Israel and destroyed the Temple, he stripped off two great garments from them i.e. the priestly vestments, which could no longer be used, and the garments of royalty, which was now defunct.”

“I have washed my feet, how shall I soil them? The phrase I have washed my feet means, I have cleansed myself from the filth of idolatry; I knew that the very dust of that place (Babylon) could lure me to idol worship. Nevertheless, although I had my precious garments taken from me, My Beloved sent for His hand from the opening i.e. He extended His hand to me and brought the Babylonian exile to an end.”

The Shir HaShirim Judaica Press commentary on this verse says “I have already accustomed myself to other ways; I can no longer return to You, as it is stated quoting Jeremiah 44:18 ‘But since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven, etc….’, for these ways were proper in their eyes, and the expression, ‘I have taken off my tunic….I have bathed my feet,’ is the language of an adulterous wife, who does not wish to open the door for her husband. And since Scripture commenced with the language of, ‘I sleep…Hark! My Beloved is knocking,’ it concludes with an expression apropos to an expression of knocking at the door at the time of retiring to sleep at night.”

“Mezudath David explains: ‘And I replied to Him: Behold, I have already taken off my tunic in order to retire. How will I put it on again? That involves much trouble. Moreover, before going to bed, I bathed my feet. How can I soil them by walking on the ground to open the door for you? Allegorically, Israel says: I was too lazy to go up to Jerusalem, because I was already settled in Babylon, and that land pleased me so much that I did not wish to take the trouble to travel to Jerusalem.”

Again, today, the same excuses are made from some, obviously not all of the Jews in Babylon (USA) who refuse to go back to the Land of Israel, even though HaShem has opened the doors for the return! This in turn causes me to want to know exactly what Jeremiah 44:18 is referring too as it relates to Israel in Babylon offering incense to the Queen of Heaven and do we see something similar today in Babylon (USA)?

Jeremiah 7:18 says “The sons gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make pastries in honor of the QUEEN OF HEAVEN and to pour out libations to the gods of others, in order to provoke Me.”

Per the Jewish Encyclopedia on the Queen of Heaven, it is a name for The Sun but is also a name for the god Ishtar/Ashtoreth the god of love and fertility. In Babylon this same god was also known as Marduk/Merodach. It adopted Mithraism into its traditions and required pigs be offered to it. To very quickly and succinctly encapsulate this ‘Queen of Heaven’, its the basis for what became Christendom today. It is highly influential in Rome i.e. the capital of Christendom and has its tentacles per se in Judaism and Islam as well.

My point is, the Babylon of the biblical era was highly involved with the Queen of Heaven and seduced a large portion of exiled Israel living in Babylon. Since there is nothing new under the sun and HaShem reveals the end from the beginning, we must see the same once again in Babylon today i.e. the USA, which prides itself of primarily being a Christian nation i.e. the Queen of Heaven. Something to consider.

Shir HaShirim 5:4 says “In anger at my recalcitrance my Beloved sent forth His Hand from the portal in wrath and my intestines churned with longing for Him.” Israel is again responding to HaShem’s pleading for His bride to repent and her continued rejection of His Hand.

The commentary from the Artscroll Shir HaShirim book says it best “He (HaShem) sent forth His Hand from the portal i.e. the key hole of the door, like a poor man asking for alms. For despite its disloyalty and transgressions, HaShem pleaded with Israel to repent. After which Israel changed its ways i.e. ‘And my intestines stirred for Him’. Intestines be used interchangeably with ‘heart’ as the Biblical term referring to the seat of emotion.”

Jeremiah 31:19 says “Is Ephraim (Israel) My favorite son or a delightful child, that whenever I speak of him I remember him more and more? Therefore, My inner self yearns for him; I will surely take pity on him, the Word of HaShem.” Here HaShem likens Israel to a son and relates to him as a Father yearns for his child. The commentary says “The Sages expound that ‘The Word’ can be rendered ‘My Word’ i.e. the Torah. HaShem says that the Torah Israel studies is reason enough to earn His compassion.”

Lamentations 1:20 says “See, HaShem, for I (Israel) am in distress; my innards churn! My heart is turned over inside me for I rebelled grievously. Outside the sword bereaved, inside was deathlike.” The commentary says “This verse begins with a supplication to HaShem to bear witness to the extent of Zion’s affliction, and it culminates with an appeal for Divine retribution against the enemy. The term ‘my innards’ is used extensively in Scripture to denote emotion so strong that it affects the innermost depths. ‘Inside was deathlike’ i.e. the fear of death, even within the house, was a real as the enemy’s sword causing destruction from without.”

The Judaica Press commentary has an interesting different take on Shir HaShirim 5:4. It states: “When I saw His Hand stretched out from the hole (In the door), I was pained because of Him, and my feelings toward Him were stirred up. The allegorical meaning is that the Omnipresent, blessed be He, sent His Word through Haggai and Zechariah to prophesy that the end had arrived, and through that, they were inspired to rebuild the Temple, as it is written in Ezra 5:1: ‘Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, etc. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shaltiel…arose and commenced to build the House of God, etc.'”

Shir HaShirim 5:5 says “I arose to open for my Beloved and my hands dripped myrrh of repentant devotion to Torah and HaShem and my fingers flowed with myrrh to remove the traces of my foolish rebuke from the handles of the lock.”

This verse is very interesting and very detailed in explaining. The Artscroll Commentary says “In eager and tender delight she (Israel) rose to unbolt the door as one who perfumes herself to be endearing to her husband. Allegorically, Rashi explains that this refers to Israel’s reaction to HaShem’s wrath as described previously in verse four. Hezekiah, Ahaz’s son, reacted to His father’s punishment by repenting with all his heart and sought HaShem. His entire generation was perfect and there never arose in Israel another generation like it. As the Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin 94b relates: ‘Hezekiah planted a sword by the door of the house of study and proclaimed ‘He who will not study the Torah will be pierced with the sword.’ They searched from Dan to Beersheva and found no ignoramus; from Gabath to Antipris, and found no boy or girl, man or woman who was not thoroughly versed in the intricate and difficult laws of purity and impurity. This is the significance of ‘My hands dripped with myrrh’ i.e. in my attempt to make myself pleasing to Him as possible, I prepared myself by figuratively anointing and purifying myself with precious ointment, its effects overflowing, thus removing the foul odor of my past deeds.”

Even II Kings 23:25 discusses the righteousness of King Hezekiah and says “And like him there was no king before him that turned to HaShem with all his heart” because he witnessed the punishment that befell his grandfather Menashe and his father Amon, in fulfillment of ‘He sent forth His hand from the portal of the door and my intestines stirred for him.’

The dripping myrrh referenced here in this verse alludes to the sacrificial incense, which we discussed briefly in the Shir HaShirim 5:1-2 Op.

Isaiah 9-5-6 is extremely important as it relates to Shir HaShirim 5:5 above! These verses should sound very familiar! It says the following: “For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us, and the dominion will rest on his shoulder; the Wondrous Adviser, Mighty Elohim, Eternal Father, called Hezekiah’s name Sar-Shalom (Prince of Peace); upon the one with the greatness in dominion and boundless peace that will prevail on the throne of David and on his kingdom, to establish it and sustain it through justice and righteousness, from now to eternity. The zealousness of HaShem, Master of Legions, will accomplish this!” These verses not only reference Hezekiah but also apply as prophecies concerning the Messiah!

What I find so interesting is Hezekiah, considered to be one of Israel’s greatest king’s, ruled figuratively with a sword i.e. the sword he put before the Yeshiva (Torah study hall) and everyone who comprised the nation of Israel learned the Torah, specifically the purity commandments and the result was they had a very long era of unprecedented peace and prosperity because of their zeal for HaShem and His Torah!

If Hezekiah is a picture of Messiah Yeshua and verses in Revelation specifically Revelation 2:27 and 19:15 confirm Yeshua will rule with a rod of iron and with a SWORD! And what is the result? The world will know unprecedented peace and prosperity and why? Because the world will be learning and living the Torah of HaShem! Remember He reveals the end from the beginning!! Nothing new under the sun!

Shir HaShirim 5:6 says “I opened to my Beloved, but alas, my Beloved turned His back on my plea and gone. My soul departed at His decree! I sought His closeness but could not find it, I beseeched Him but He would not answer.”

The Artscroll commentary on this verse reveals a lot. It says “I (Israel) responded to my Beloved, but it was too late, He did not annul His decree, as it is said of Hezekiah per Isaiah 39:6-7 ‘Behold, days are coming that all that is in your house shall be carried to Babylon…and of your children which shall descend from you’, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Similarly was Josiah forewarned by Chuldah, the prophetess per II Kings 22:16 ‘I will bring evil upon this place and upon its inhabitants’; and in addition per II Kings 23:25 ‘And like him there was no king before him, etc’. Nevertheless, HaShem did not turn back from the fierceness of that great anger with which His anger burned against Judah, on account of all the provocation with which Menashe had provoked Him. And HaShem said, ‘I will remove Judah also out of My sight as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city, Jerusalem, which I have chosen.'”

Will HaShem’s anger last forever? Baruch HaShem no!! Jeremiah 3:12-15 says “Go and proclaim these words towards the North (Israel), and say: ‘Return, O wayward Israel, the Word of HaShem, I will not cast down My anger upon you, for I am the Beneficent One, the Word of HaShem, and I will not bear a grudge forever. But you must recognize your sin, that you have rebelled against HaShem, your Elohim, and that you have spread out your ways to seek strange gods, under every leafy tree, and you did not heed My Voice, the Word of HaShem. Return, O wayward sons, the Word of HaShem, for I shall be your Master. I shall take you, even one from a city and two from a family, and I shall bring you to Zion. I shall appoint shepherds for you according to My Own heart, and they will care for you with knowledge and wisdom.'”

Then HaShem says in Jeremiah 3:18 says “In those days (The End of Days) the House of Judah will walk with the House of Israel (Remember, because of sin/rebellion/idolatry/etc, HaShem turned Israel over to Babylon and scattered into the world. Judah remained with HaShem while Israel i.e. the Ten Tribes, were devoured and scattered. Now does it make more sense when Yeshua says ‘I came ONLY for the lost sheep of the House of Israel’ per Matthew 15:24?), and they will come together from the land of the North to the land that I have given as a possession to your fathers.”

The Shir HaShirim Midrash expounds on this and says “I opened for my Beloved, by my Beloved had turned and gone away, this means that despite my opening up for Him, He hid Himself and became full of anger against me, as full as a pregnant woman. My soul departed as He spoke, this means that I became disheartened because of His spoken Word, because the sound of His first spoken Word to me, which I had transgressed by worshiping the Golden Calf, when He said, I am HaShem, your Elohim…You shall have no other gods before Me per Exodus 20:2-3. At that time, I sought Him but did not find Him; I called Him but He did not answer me.” HaShem heard and granted to Israel His forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf only when Moshe interceded on behalf of Israel before HaShem. Sound familiar? Messiah Yeshua intercedes for Israel before HaShem and HaShem grants forgiveness!

HaShem commands in His Torah per Exodus 20:2 “I am HaShem, your Elohim, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.” It is the basis for the 25th Commandment from the Torah i.e. ‘The Obligation to Believe in the Existence of HaShem, Blessed Be He.’ The Book of the Mitzvos #25 expounds on this further and says “We are commanded to believe that the world has One G-d Who brought into existence all that exists, and that His Power and His Will have brought about and continue to bring about everything that is, and that was, and that will be, forever and ever i.e. He is the Controller of everything that has transpired, that does transpire, and that will transpire from the beginning to the end of history, and that He took us out of bondage in the land of Egypt and gave us the Torah. We are so commanded, as it is stated, at the beginning of the Giving of the Torah at Sinai per Exodus 20:2: ‘I am HaShem, your Elohim, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.’ Each clause in the verse conveys a principle:

• ‘I am HaShem conveys that there is One Elohim Who brought everything into existence. The Name (Yod Hey Vav Hey) represents that He exists eternally and that He brought everything into existence.’
• ‘Your Elohim conveys that He is All-Powerful, and thus the One Who controls and is the Cause of everything that has occurred and that will occur forever and ever.’
• ‘Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery conveys that it was He Who miraculously delivered us from the Egyptian bondage.’

‘Since this is the introductory verse in the Giving of the Torah, it obviously means that the One Elohim, Who created everything, Who is All-Powerful, and Who delivered us from Egypt, is the One Who gave us the Torah. It is noteworthy that the three principles mentioned are the subjects of the three passages recited in the daily Shema:

• ‘The first passage discusses the Oneness of Elohim’
• ‘The second passage discusses His providential control of natural events, whereby He rewards goodness and punishes evil’
• ‘The third passage discusses the Exodus from Egypt.’

You may be asking why all of this is important for me to cite in this Op? Because, all of us are constantly, every second of every day faced with being pulled away from HaShem and to embrace Avodah Zarah (Idolatry), whether we recognize it or not! That’s why I was so stunned when He began to teach me His definition of what constitutes Avodah Zarah and suddenly realized a great majority of what Christendom teaches and celebrates constitutes Avodah Zarah and as such since I had practiced that garbage for many years of my life had to truly make teshuvah (Repentance).

This leads to explaining what true ‘Emunah’ or ‘Faith’ defined by HaShem looks like per Mitzvah #25 which we briefly discussed above. The commentary from the Book of the Mitzvot expounds further and says “The laws of this mitzvah i.e. To believe in the existence of HaShem, include, for example: The details of what we are obligated to believe regarding HaShem, including that all ability, and all greatness, strength, and splendor, and all glory, and all blessing and all endurance, must be ascribed to Him; and that we lack the faculty and intellect to even grasp in our minds, and certainly to convey with words, His greatness and His benevolence, as, due to the exaltedness of His stature and His glory, He i.e. His Essence, cannot be grasped by any being, we must, with all our mental faculties, recognize Him as precluded from any deficiency, or anything inconsistent with absolute perfection and absolute virtue.”

Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1.3 from the Mishneh Torah “Describes how our forefather Abraham arrived at an awareness of HaShem through carefully studying the universe, which led him to recognize decisively the existence of a Higher Authority Who governs the world. Accordingly, he concluded there is One G-d, Who created and Who controls the entire universe. Thus, Abraham did not merely believe in the existence of G-d; he came to KNOW it. Ideally, one should strive to attain this highest form of emunah (Faith), through contemplation of the world and its events, and even more so through study of the Torah.”

Point is, true emunah (Faith) is NOT just belief, it is knowing and then taking that knowing and putting it into our choices and actions. James 2:18 sums it up and says “But someone will say ‘You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith BY my deeds.'” In other words, if we truly have faith in HaShem, then we will want to strive to walk in His Torah as the means to demonstrate to Whom we have put our faith in! Torah is not about obtaining salvation, Torah is about emunah i.e. demonstrating to Whom we believe, just as James 2:18 says it i.e. “I will show you my faith by my works!”

Shir HaShirim 5:7 says “They found me, the enemy watchmen patrolling the city; they struck me, they bloodied me wreaking Elohim’s revenge on me. They stripped my mantle of holiness from me, the angelic watchmen of the wall.”

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary on this verse explains and says “The watchmen who patrol the town found me. The watchmen metaphorically refers to Nebuchadnezzar and his forces who patrolled the City to wreak the vengeance of Elohim i.e. who acted as Elohim’s instrument in implementing His plan of retribution against the Jews. The Destruction of the First Temple was to begin.”

“In Shir HaShirim 3:3 the same word ‘Watchman’ is used and is referring to Moses and Aaron whereas here, in Shir HaShirim 5:7, it is rendered as referring to Nebuchadnezzar and his horde, an apparent incongruity. In truth, however, there is no discrepancy. Any person who carries out the will of Elohim is His ‘watchman’, whether he does it consciously as did Moses and Aaron, or like Nebuchadnezzar, without even knowing that he was Elohim’s instrument. Nebuchadnezzar’s purpose, was to force Israel to repent by making them realize that only in HaShem lay their salvation. Therefore, Scripture calls him ‘My servant Nebuchadnezzar’ per Jeremiah 25:9 and in that sense, he is here called Elohim’s watchman.” So, we again can see the Mastery of HaShem in controlling all of His creation at all times to serve His purposes, just as we briefly discussed in the previous verse!

The Shir HaShirim Midrash 5.4 discussing Shir HaShirirm 5:7 is very interesting and says “The Midrash first interprets this verse as an allusion to the return from Babylonian exile under Cyrus. This is referring to Tattenai, governor of the Trans-Euphrates region and his cohorts, who tried to have the construction of the Temple halted.” Ezra 5:3 says “At that time, Tattenai, governor of the Trans-Euphrates region, approached them, along with Shethar-bozenai and their accomplices. They said this to them, ‘Who issued you a decree to construct this building (The Second Temple) and to lay the foundation for these ramparts?'”

The Midrash goes on and says “They struck me, they wounded me. This refers to the enemies of the Jews at that time, when they wrote a calumny (Defined as – a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something) against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, who sought successfully to have the Persian king Artaxerxes bring a halt to the building of the Temple.”

“The Guards of the Walls stripped my mantle from me. These guards of the walls refer to the walls of Jerusalem. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: ‘In the past, a wall in Jerusalem was built of massive stone of eight cubits and stone of ten cubits in length per I Kings 7:10, whereas here the Temple wall was being built of gelal stone per Ezra 5:8, meaning stones that were small enough that they could be rolled from place to place. That is, the Persians sent guards to ensure the walls would not be fortified too greatly.”

I Kings 7:10 says “It was founded upon valuable stones, large stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits.” The note attached to this verse says “The foundation stones of the buildings were larger than those used for the walls. Some of these foundation stones were above ground as well. The ten cubit stones protruded two cubits beyond the eight cubit stones, forming ledges. The senior Kohanim slept on these ledges, since beds were not brought into the Temple, while the younger Kohanim slept on the ground, using their garments as improvised mattresses.” Consider one cubit is equal to 20.67 inches, so ten cubit stones are a little over 16 feet stones…gigantic stones!

So, you can see how quickly this exploration of Shir HaShirim 5:7 connects to the Temple of HaShem! Just to go off on what I call a Rabbi Trail, lets quickly explore where the Kohanim would sleep in the Temple of HaShem!

Per Tractate Middot 1.8 from the Mishnah it says “Beit HaMoked, a dome, and it was a large structure, surrounded by stone slabs, and the elders of the Beit Av would sleep there, and the keys of the Azarah were in their hands, and the young Kohanim, each one was with his cushion on the ground.”

Tractate Tamid 26a from the Talmud Bavli says “It the Hall of the Fire was a large structure, whose interior was encircled with ledges of stone. The elders of the Beis Av scheduled to perform the service the next day would sleep there on the ledges, and the keys of the Courtyard were in their hands. The young Kohanim who were not accorded the privilege of sleeping on the ledges, would sleep each with his cushion on the ground. They would not sleep in their holy vestments; rather, they would remove them and fold them, and place them beneath their heads, and cover themselves with their personal garment.”

Okay, so lets get back on track and quickly discuss Ezra 5:8 which the Midrash references above. Ezra 5:8 says “Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the Temple of the great Elohim; it is being built of marble stone (Gelal stone), with wood reinforcing the walls. This work is proceeding rapidly and is succeeding in their hands.” The note associated with this verse says “Midrash Rabbah to Shir HaShirirm 5:7 states that the word ‘Gelal’ alludes to the relatively small size of the building stones of the Second Temple compared to those of the First Temple. The stones were small and could have been rolled with relative ease. This is in contrast with the massive stones, measuring eight and ten cubits in length, which were used in the First Temple.”

“The Midrash now interprets the verse (Shir HaShirirm 5:7) as alluding to the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the incident of the Golden Calf. The watchmen found me, this refers to the Tribe of Levi, of whom it is written, for they observed i.e. watched Your Word. (Not even one member of the Tribe of Levi worshiped the Golden Calf.) Who go about in the city, this aptly describes the Levites, as it is stated that Moses said to them, ‘Every man, put his sword on his thigh and pass back and forth from gate to gate in the camp. They struck me, they wounded me, as it is stated further that Moses said to them, ‘Let every one of you kill his brother, every man his fellow, and every man his near one.’ They stripped my mantle from me, this is referring to the weapon that the Israelites had at that time. The weapon that was given to the people of Israel at Horeb i.e. Mount Sinai, had the Ineffable Name engraved upon it, but once they sinned with the Golden Calf, it was taken away from them. The guardians of the walls, this refers to the Levites, the guardians of the walls of the Torah. The Levites are the archetypical guardians and teachers of Torah, as it is stated concerning them, ‘They observed Your Word and Your Covenant they preserve; they shall teach Your Ordinances to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel’ per Deuteronomy 33:9-10”

Tractate Yoma 26a from the Talmud Bavli explains further and says “Apropos this passage in Deuteronomy, Rava said: ‘You do not find a young Torah scholar who gives halakhic instruction unless he comes from the Tribe of Levi or from the Tribe of Issachar. The assertion with regard to the Tribe of Levi is as it is written ‘They shall teach Jacob Your ordinances and Israel Your Torah per Deuteronomy 33:10.’ And the assertion with regard to the Tribe of Issachar is as it is written: ‘And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do’ per I Chronicles 12:33. The Gemara asks: ‘And say that scholars from the Tribe of Judah also, as it is written: ‘Judah is My lawgiver’ per Psalms 60:9. Rava answers: ‘While it is true that the Tribe of Judah also taught Torah, in my statement I was speaking only of those who can draw conclusions according to the halakha. Although Judah produces great scholars, men capable of translating abstract analysis of the Torah into legal principles come from the two tribes mentioned.'”

Shir HaShirim 5:8 says “I adjure you, O nations who are destined to ascend to Jerusalem, when you see my Beloved on the future Day of Judgment, won’t you tell Him that I bore all travails for love of Him?”

This single verse alone is incredibly important and very prophetic in nature! An entire Op could be done on this one verse alone as there is so much to unpack! Again, we see where HaShem reveals the end from the beginning and in doing so, completely dismantles and destroys Replacement Theology which is permeating and dominating the world today! We will explore what the underlined term ‘Day of Judgment’ means and how it is a term for a specific Feast of HaShem!

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary encapsulates and begins to explain this verse well. It says “Israel is in Exile. But, faithfully enduring all suffering, they cling to their faith and address their captors: ‘I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem’ i.e. O nations who are destined to ascend to Jerusalem. According to Rashi, the adjuration in this verse is addressed to Nebuchadnezzar and his armies: ‘who have seen Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah submit themselves to the fiery furnace per Daniel 3:20, and Daniel cast into the lion’s den per Daniel 6:17 in punishment for his praying; and to the generation of Mordechai in the time of Haman.'”

“When you see my Beloved i.e. in the future, on the Day of Judgment, when you will be called upon to bear witness for me, as is written per Isaiah 43:9 ‘Let them bring forth their witness that they may be justified.'” What is HaShem saying here? Let’s examine Isaiah 43:9-10!

Isaiah 43:9-10 says “Were all the nations gathered together and all the regimes assembled, who among them could have declared this and let us hear the early prophecies? Let them bring their witnesses and they will be vindicated; or else let them hear me and then say, ‘It is true’. You are My witnesses, the Word of HaShem, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you will know and believe in Me, and understand that I am He; before Me nothing was created by a god nor will there be after Me!” In a nut shell, on the future Day of Judgment, HaShem will bring forth the nations who will testify they witnessed HaShem’s miracles and protection of Israel while in exile…they will not be able to deny this!

The following excerpt from Tractate Yoma 86a from the Talmud Bavli which expounds on this further says “Abaye said: ‘As it was taught in a baraita (Interpretations not included in the Mishnah) And you shall love the L-rd your G-d’ per Deuteronomy 6:5, which means one do so? One should do in that he should read Torah, and learn Mishnah, and serve Torah scholars, and he should be pleasant with people in his business transactions. What do people say about such a person? Fortunate is his father who taught him Torah, fortunate is his teacher who taught him Torah, woe to the people who have not studied Torah. So and so, who taught him Torah, see how pleasant are his ways, how proper are his deeds. The verse states about him and others like him ‘You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified’ per Isaiah 49:3.'”

Tractate Avodah Zarah 3a from the Talmud Bavli says “The Holy One, blessed be He, will say to the heathens (Nations): ‘Even some of you will testify that Israel observed the entire Torah. Let Nimrod come and testify that Abraham did not consent to worship idols; let Laban come and testify that Jacob could not be suspected of theft; let Potiphar’s wife testify that Joseph was above suspicion of immorality; let Nebuchadnezzar come and testify that Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah did not bow down to an image; let Darius come and testify that Daniel never neglected the prayers; let Bildad, Tzofar, and Eliphaz testify that Israel observed the whole Torah, as it is said: ‘Let them i.e. the nations bring their own witnesses, that they i.e. Israel, may be justified’ per Isaiah 43:9.”

Another interpretation of Shir HaShirim 5:8 says “Israel says to the nations ‘When you recognize HaShem’s greatness, testify that I realize that the cause of my suffering is not due to inability on His part to rescue me, or because He has decided to cast me off, never to return to me. I am fully aware that my travail is because I am sick by virtue of His love for me. His chastisements are chastisements of love, designed to awaken me and bring me to repentance. As it is written per Proverbs 3:11-12 ‘Do not despise the chastening of HaShem nor be weary of His correction; for HaShem reproves him who He loves’; and in the Torah per Deuteronomy 8:5 ‘As a man chastens his son, so HaShem your Elohim chastens you.'” Again we see the love HaShem has for His people!

In order to further explore the Day of Judgment, lets first establish via Tractate Rosh HaShanah from the Mishnah how HaShem has set up FOUR periods during a year in which the world is judged!

Rosh HaShanah 1.2 says “The world is judged at four periods: On Pesach for the produce; on Shavuot for the fruits of the tree; on Rosh HaShanah all the inhabitants of the world pass before Him like flocks of sheep, as it is written, ‘He that fashioned the hearts of them all, Who understands all their doings’ per Psalms 33:15; and on THE Festival (Sukkot) they are judged for water.”

Psalms 33:15 says “He Who fashions their hearts all together, Who comprehends all their deeds.” The commentary on this says “Because He alone fashioned their hearts, only He can truly understand them. Although He made them (Humanity) all together, each (Person) has a unique personality and must be understood according to his particular characteristics. As the Sages teach, just as no two faces are alike so are no two personalities alike.”

So, we can see Rosh HaShanhah IS the Day of Judgment in Scripture! This day has many different names attached to it throughout Scripture which we will see some of them shortly.

Leviticus 23:24 says “Speak to the Children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month (Tishri) on the first of the month, there shall be a rest day for you, a remembrance with shofar blasts, a holy convocation.'”

There are at least 85 different titles for this day in Scripture!! Per the book ‘Rosh HaShanah and the Messianic Kingdom to Come’ by Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries, he compiled a list of these titles in his book. Here are just a few (Used with his permission):

• The Judgment of the Great Day per Jude 6
• The Great Day of His Wrath per Revelation 6:17
• The Day of Wrath per Job 21:30
• The Day of Battle and War per Job 38:23
• The Day of Your Power per Psalm 110:3
• The Day of Adversity per Proverbs 11:4/24:10
• The Day of Messiah per Philippians 1:10
• The Day of Jacob’s Trouble per Jeremiah 30:7
• The Day of Trouble per Nahum 1:7/Psalm 50:15/Habakkuk 3:16
• The Day of Punishment per Hosea 9:7
• The Day of Battle per Amos 1:14
• The Day of Our King per Hosea 7:5

I hope you can see once more, in order to grasp what HaShem is saying here in Shir HaShirim, we MUST know His Torah, His Feasts and His Temple!! Not having an understanding of these will lead to making very wrong interpretations and in doing so you end up with Replacement Theology Christendom as an example! I digress.

Shir HaShirim 5:9 says (Nations speak to Israel) “With what does your Beloved G-d excel all others that you suffer for His Name, O fairest of nations? With what does your Beloved G-d excel all others that you dare to adjure us?”

The nations of the world are recorded here taunting and questioning Israel. The commentary from the Artscroll Shir HaShirim says “This was the response of the heathens to the Jews: ‘In what way is your G-d so superior to other gods that you are ready to be burned and tortured for Him? You are handsome, you are mighty. Come intermingle with us.'”

“Are you truly the fairest among nations by virtue of clinging to this G-d of yours? Surely not! Just look at yourselves; the reverse is true! Therefore, why do you insist upon the superiority of your G-d over all others, and so adjure us that we should not dare disturb your love and cause Him to love us? Never! It would be better for all if you forgot Him. Join us in serving our god and let us all prosper together.”

The Judaica Press Shir HaShirim commentary says “This is what the nations were asking Israel, ‘What is it about your G-d more than all the other gods, that you allow yourselves to be burned and hanged because of Him?'”

Basically the nations are taunting Israel to give up HaShem, reject His Torah and join them and worship their gods. In a round about way this is precisely what Christendom has taught throughout the centuries and continues to teach and taunts Israel today with the exact same message: “Give up your Torah in exchange for our Jesus and then we will have peace and prosperity!” I read these exact sentiments constantly today from pastors and others within Christendom taunting and threatening Israel into forsaking HaShem and His Torah in exchange for what they call ‘salvation’ via ‘Jesus’. It is insidious and so very, very wrong but there is nothing new under the sun!

The enemy of HaShem and Israel has several goals but one of the main goals is to separate Israel not only from HaShem but more importantly from His Torah! He knows, to get Israel to forsake the Torah means Israel is now defeated and can be destroyed! The Midrash Rabbah Vayishlach Insights section 77.3 is very enlightening as it explains the significance of the struggle between Ya’akov (Jacob/Israel) and the angel in Genesis 32:26 as it pertains to this topic:

“Man, particularly Israel, is locked in constant war with his evil inclination. HaShem says ‘I created the evil inclination, I have create the Torah as its antidote’ per Kiddushin 30b from the Talmud Bavli. The Sages teach that Israel’s most far reaching sin is neglect of Torah study. Why was the land destroyed, left desolate as a desert without passerby? HaShem said, ‘Because they forsook My Torah’ per Jeremiah 9:11-12.”

“In another verse in Jeremiah 16:11, HaShem says ‘But Me they forsook; and My Torah they did not observe’, which the Midrash interprets to mean ‘O that they would have forsaken Me but observed the study of My Torah, for the light in it would have brought them back.’ Such is the spiritual strength inherent in the study of Torah, that it can transform sinners. Thus, Torah represents the Jew’s capacity to fight the war against evil. DESTROY THE JEW’S CAPACITY TO STUDY TORAH, AND EVIL HAS WON!”

Consider what HaShem says about His Torah in Jeremiah 23:29 “Behold, My Word (Torah) is like fire, the Word of HaShem, and like a hammer that shatters a rock.” This is precisely why the nations of the world hate and despise Israel and the Torah so much, because the Torah of HaShem is the only truth there is and as such the nations are not only exposed but their false gods are revealed and they are enraged because of it. If the nations cannot defeat Israel militarily then they adopt a more insidious tactic i.e. love and acceptance! They get Israel to assimilate and in doing so Israel gives up the Torah and embraces the various religious systems to include Christendom and are destroyed. Thank HaShem He promises He won’t let the nations succeed!

Shir HaShirim 5:10 says (Israel replies to the nations taunts) “My Beloved is pure and purifies sin, and ruddy with vengeance to punish betrayers, surrounded with myriad angels.”

The Artscroll Five Megillos Shir HaShirim commentary expounds on this and says “Israel responds to the nations. She will describe her Beloved as a bride would describe her fiancé. Then the nations will understand her persistent devotion to Him.”

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary expounds further on this verse and says “My Beloved is clear skinned and ruddy. Rashi translates the word ‘White’ to ‘Clear’. He is anxious to whiten my deeds even when He sits in judgment as He is depicted in Daniel 7:9 ‘His garment was white as snow and the hair on His hand was like pure wool.’ And ruddy i.e. red in readiness to exact retribution from His enemies as Isaiah 63:2 declared in surprise upon seeing a vision of HaShem depicted as a solitary and majestic figure in blood red vesture approaching victoriously from the direction of Edom, after having wreaked vengeance on Israel’s enemies: ‘Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the wine vat?’ White signifying purity and atonement and red signifying sin and punishment seemingly contradictory attributes, both of which are embodied within Him simultaneously.”

“White signifies purity, while red signifies sin and punishment, apparently contradictory terms. HaShem is white in the sense that He longs to forgive my sins, and He is red in the sense that He will punish my enemies. HaShem is immeasurably more exalted than the countless angels that surround Him, as it were. He is like a banner that towers above the army.”

In my opinion the key point to get from this is Israel responds to the nations in a way which she will describe her relationship with HaShem as a bride describes her Fiancé! Why is this significant to me? Because it once again shows HaShem never tossed His bride overboard per se and brought in a new one called ‘The Church!’ Its just impossible! I digress!

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah describes the meaning of ‘White’ and ‘Ruddy’. It says “The nations of the world are saying here to Israel, ‘What is your Beloved more than another beloved?’ i.e. ‘What is your G-d more than other gods? What is your Patron more than other patrons?’ And Israel replies to them: ‘He was white i.e. forbearing toward me in the land of Egypt, but ruddy i.e. harsh, toward the people of Egypt. He was white toward me in the land of Egypt, as it is stated, ‘I shall go through the land of Egypt on this night, and I shall strike every firstborn in the land of Egypt…And the blood shall be a sign for you upon the houses where you are; when I shall see the blood I shall pass over you; there shall not be a plague of destruction upon you when I strike the land of Egypt’ per Exodus 12:12-13.”

HaShem is STILL faithful to His Bride i.e. Israel to this day today! He WILL rescue her at the appointed time!

Shir HaShirim 5:11 says “His opening words were finest gold, His crowns hold mounds of statues written in raven black flame.”

This verse is so descriptive of HaShem, His majesty and His Torah! The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary says “His head is like finest gold. Interpreting ‘His Head’ to mean ‘His beginning’ i.e. the beginning of His Words i.e. the Ten Commandments, HaShem’s direct communication to the entire people shone forth like the finest gold, as suggested by the verse per Psalms 119:130 ‘The preamble of Your words give light.’ By proclaiming the first commandment i.e. ‘I am HaShem your Elohim’, He established His sovereignty over them, and then decreed His ordinances upon them.”

“As the Midrash esoterically comments: ‘The Scroll which HaShem gave to Moses was of white fire and its writing was of black fire. It was itself fire and it was hewn out of fire; completely formed of fire and given in fire, as it says in Deuteronomy 33:2 ‘From His right Hand He presented the fiery Torah to them.'”

Remember, HaShem says He Himself is a consuming fire per Deuteronomy 4:24 “For HaShem, your Elohim, He is a consuming fire.” Again showing the Torah comes from HaShem Himself and if He is eternal, unchanging and His Word is firmly established, then how could His Torah be something terrible, burdensome and ultimately tossed aside like yesterday’s garbage as Christendom so often teaches in its Replacement Theology doctrine?

Tractate Sotah 8.3 from the Talmud Yerushalmi says “The Torah that the Holy One, Blessed is He, gave to Moses, its parchment was white fire, and its ink was black fire. It, the Torah, is fire and it is mixed with fire, hewn from fire, given from fire, as it is written ‘From His right hand He presented the fire of the Torah to them.’ This teaching is not intended literally. It is a metaphor that expresses the profoundly spiritual nature of the Torah. Fire is used to convey spirituality, because it lacks substance, yet possesses great energy and brilliance. The wisdom of the Torah emanates from HaShem, about Whom it is written ‘For HaShem, your Elohim, He is a consuming fire. This, of course, is meant metaphorically and not literally. Alternatively, the Gemara (Commentary of the Talmud), refers to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which was executed amidst tremendous fire as described in Deuteronomy 4:11-12.”

The Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim says “His head, this is an allusion to the Torah, as it is stated, ‘HaShem made me as the beginning of His way’ per Proverbs 8:22.” Let’s quickly examine Proverbs 8:22 closer and see what HaShem is saying!

Proverbs 8:22 says “HaShem made me (Torah) at the beginning of His way, before His deeds of yore.” The commentary is very interesting and says “The speaker of these verses is Wisdom/Torah, describing how it preceded all stages of Creation. Torah is thus the essence of all that is created; the manifold facets of the universe are but manifestations of the Torah’s wisdom. To assume the commandments are nothing more than Heavenly guidelines necessary to direct and maintain civilization is a great error. The commandments of the Torah were not promulgated to confirm the needs of society; rather, it is society that was created to conform to the dictates of Torah. The commandment to honor one’s parents, for example, is not imposed upon the child because this is his duty to his elders. Rather, HaShem ordained that children be born of parents so that they may perform the commandment of Honor your father and mother per Exodus 20:12. It follows, then, that the continuity of Creation is contingent upon man’s adherence to the Torah.” In other words, when man tosses Torah aside, there is chaos as Creation reacts. When man guards and keeps His Torah, there is blessing and shalom in Creation!

It further says “HaShem created the Torah before He created the world. Torah served as a blueprint for the entire creation. The Sages teach ‘The Holy One, Blessed is He, looked into the Torah and created the world per Bereishis Rabbah 1:2. The Torah begins with the words ‘Bereishis Bara’, which may be interpreted to mean, ‘With the Torah, which is called Beginning, Elohim created heaven and earth’. Every detail of Creation followed a master plan designed and executed for one purpose, the Torah.”

Tractate Pesachim 54a from the Talmu Bavli says “Seven phenomena were created before the world was created, and they are: Torah, and repentance, and the Garden of Eden, and Gehenna, and the Throne of Glory, and the Temple, and the name of Messiah. This statement means that HaShem created these phenomena before He created the world, as without them the world either could not exist or its existence would not be justified. Torah, repentance, the Throne of Glory, and the Temple all enable man to know HaShem and serve Him, which is the ultimate purpose of Creation. The Garden of Eden and Gehenna represent the concept of reward and punishment. The name of the Messiah relates to hope and anticipation of the ultimate redemption. As these foundational ideas were essential to the world. It was necessary for them to precede Creation.”

The Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim 5.7 says “Finest gold, these are the words of Torah, which are comparable to gold, as it is stated, ‘They are more valuable than gold, than even much fine gold’ per Psalm 19:11. His locks are curly. This is referring to the scoring of the Torah scroll i.e. the ruled lines that are scored into the parchment, which guide the writing of the lines of text, ensuring that they are straight, neat, and easy to read. Black as the raven. These words are referring to the letters of the Torah scroll, which are written in black ink. Even those words in the Torah that you see as thorns i.e. as trivial and insignificant as thorns, are actually full of heaps upon heaps of Torah laws. With whom are they properly established? Black as raven i.e. they are established with one who begins at dawn and stays through the late evening continuously involved with them.”

The Midrash lists three objectives of Torah study:

• To fulfill the obligation of constant Torah study i.e. to devote as much time as possible to Torah study. This obligation does not require that one become proficient in all of Torah, or even that one remember the Torah he learns. As long as one engages in Torah study, even if he limits his study to a single area, and even if he learns and forgets, he discharges this obligation.
• To accumulate stores of Torah knowledge. This is the obligation of the verse from Deuteronomy 6:7 ‘And you shall teach them diligently’, which requires that one become thoroughly knowledgeable in the entire Torah.
• To master the evil inclination. The Gemara states per Tractate Kiddushin 30b ‘I have created the evil inclination, and I have created the Torah as its antidote. If you involve yourself in Torah, you will not be delivered into the hand of the evil inclination.

Can you see the greatness of His Torah and why Israel i.e. the Bride, is telling the nations why she is devoted to her Fiancé i.e. HaShem? How can His Torah be something terrible, evil, Satanic in origin as I have literally heard so many Christians over the years state in their absolute ignorance and their efforts to regurgitate the Torah hating propaganda originating from the pulpits?

If all of Creation is dependent upon the Torah to not only exist but to function, then if the Torah was rendered obsolete and tossed aside, then all of Creation would cease to exist. My point is to once again show how utterly absurd and so destructive Christendom and its Replacement Theology doctrine is!

Shir HaShirim 5:12 says “Like the gaze of doves toward their cotes, His eyes are fixed on the waters of Torah, bathing all things in clarity, established upon creation’s fullness.”

This single verse here is incredibly revealing and amazing as we will soon see as we explore this verse in-depth! But first, let me quickly add this tidbit from a great book I have entitled ‘My Father, my King’ which addresses the issue of a person being inundated with their past mistakes to discourage them from learning the Torah and drawing near towards HaShem. On page 140-141 of this book it states the following regarding mistakes:

“Hear your Father, your King, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, saying to you – Mistakes are great teachers. Let your mistakes teach you how to avoid other mistakes. Let your mistakes teach you humility. They show you that you are fallible. Let your mistakes teach you to have compassion for others when they err. Let your mistakes show you what you can teach others so they avoid making similar mistakes. But never allow a mistake to diminish your awareness that you are My valuable child. Never let a mistake prevent you from learning, doing, and accomplishing. Never let a mistake cause you to give up out of discouragement. Have the strength to keep going if what you are doing is worthwhile. Mistakes test you. They test your honesty. Having the courage to admit a mistake raises you in My eyes. So, never be afraid to say, ‘I was wrong. I made a mistake.’ Let My view of your courage give you the courage to acknowledge and learn from mistakes.” Keep this in mind as we proceed.

The commentary on Shir HaShirim 5:12 begins with the following: “His eyes alludes to HaShem’s governing of the Universe as in II Chronicles 16:9 it states ‘For the eyes of HaShem run to and fro throughout the earth’; and Psalms 33:18 says ‘HaShem’s eyes are upon those that fear Him.’ Just as doves gaze toward their cotes, per Isaiah 60:8 which says ‘Who are these who fly like a cloud, like pigeons to their cote-windows’.”

The significance of this verse in Isaiah 60:8 is this is a prophetic picture of when at the Final Redemption, the pigeons (In this case a picture of exiled and scattered Israel) who is described as “A pigeon returning to feed its young does so with greater haste than when leaving to forage for food. So too, Israel will hasten to the original source of its spiritual connection, like a pigeon returning to its brood. In the end, observers will be struck by the swiftness of the return, and will wonder aloud who are these that return so quickly? Just as clouds and birds seem to be unencumbered by the earth’s gravitational pull, so Israel will be freed from the natural pull of human materialistic desires. When the Redemption comes, they will quickly rise to the lofty spiritual grandeur of the Holy City.”

“So, just as doves gaze toward their windows i.e. cotes, so are His eyes directed toward synagogues and study houses from which emanates Torah which is compared to water. Water refers to Torah!” Tractate Bava Kama 17a from the Talmud Bavli says “And the reference to water refers ONLY to the study of Torah, as it is stated with regard to Torah study per Isaiah 55:1 ‘Ho, all who are thirsty, go to water.'”

Isaiah 55:1 says specifically “Ho, everyone who is thirsty go to the water, even one with no money, go, buy and eat; go and buy wine and milk without money and without price.” The commentary on this verse explains “Water is a metaphor for Torah and wisdom, for just as the world cannot exist without water, it cannot exist without the Torah. Furthermore, just as one who is thirsty yearns for water, the wise soul yearns for Torah and wisdom. Torah is compared to water to teach that just as water leaves heights and flows to lower places, Torah wisdom can only remain in one who is humble. A humble person realizes that he has much to learn. He will not let pride prevent him from learning from others or from asking questions that will expose his lack of knowledge.”

“Sitting upon the fullness i.e. upon the fullness of the earth. ‘They are the eyes of HaShem hovering through the whole earth’ per Zechariah 4:10; watching evil and good per Proverbs 15:3. Eyes refers to Torah scholars whom HaShem provides with eyes to enlighten the world as man’s eyes enlighten him. Just as the dove wanders from cote to cote in quest of food, so do scholars go from the study house of one sage to that of another seeking explanations of the Torah.”

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 5.10 says “His eyes, these are referring to the Sanhedrin for they are the eyes for the assembly as it is stated ‘If because of the eyes of the assembly’ per Numbers 15:24. The Sanhedrin is referred to as the eyes for the following reason – There are two hundred and forty eight limbs within a man and they all follow after the eyes. Similarly, the people of Israel cannot do anything without their Sanhedrin.”

The Bereshis Midrash Rabbah 54.1 expounds further and says “Solomon said, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him bread; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink per Proverbs 25:21.’ Feed him bread, this means from the bread of Torah, as it is stated ‘Come, eat of my bread’ per Proverbs 9:5, and give him water to drink, this means from the waters of Torah, as it is stated, ‘Ho, everyone that is thirsty come for water’ per Isaiah 55:1”

So, once again we see HaShem’s Torah is eternal and is what the entire universe is sustained by! Further, it reveals the more mankind tells HaShem to take His Torah and take a hike, in the name of Christendom and its Replacement Theology doctrine, the more creation falls into darkness and collapses into utter chaos!

If you want a clear picture of what the Torah is, read Proverbs 8, the entire chapter as the chapter is recorded from the point of view of the Torah itself is speaking! And then ask yourself again if the Torah is something which can be tossed aside as easily as yesterday’s trash as Christendom teaches? Is this really what Paul was teaching in his letters in the Apostolic Writings?

It is summed up with these two verses from Proverbs 8:35-36 “For one who finds me (Torah) has found life and he has elicited favor from HaShem. But one who sins against me despoils his soul, all who hate me (Torah) love death.”

Shir HaShirim 5:13 says “Like a bed of spices are His Words from Sinai, like towers of perfume. His comforting words from the Tabernacle are roses dripping flowing Myrrh.”

Tractate Shabbos 88b from the Talmud Bavli comments upon this verse and says “With every single word that went forth from the Mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He, the whole world was filled with spices i.e. fragrance, for His Words spiritually purified and prepared the souls of the people, just as fragrant spices revive and rejuvenate the flesh.” His Words are life to those who take hold of them!

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary says “His comforting words from the Tabernacle are roses dripping flowing Myrrh. His words in the Tent of Meeting, words of conciliation and atonement, teaching Israel the laws of the various offerings which please HaShem and atone for sin.” Remember, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the Mikdash (Temple) are commanded by HaShem and are the epitome of kedushah in action i.e. holiness/separation to HaShem for His service! The Mikdash is to be The Place where HaShem has chosen to place His Name so He may dwell among His people i.e. Israel and to where the whole world can come and worship Him at His throne on earth!

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 5.11 says “Like a bed of spices are His Words from Sinai, this refers to the study of Torah. The towers of perfume is an allegory for Torah scholars. Just as a perfumer’s closet contains in it all kinds of spices, so must a Torah scholar be full of knowledge of Scripture, Mishnah, Talmud, Halachos and Aggados.” To learn the Torah of HaShem requires all the tools He gave i.e. the Written and Oral Torah, yes both are directly from HaShem and are not the ‘traditions of men’ to be tossed out as many in the Hebrew Roots/Messianic crowds teach, I digress.

Comparing HaShem’s Words to that of a blossoming rose is a common theme throughout His Word, which we have previously discussed in Shir HaShirim chapter two. Needless to say, not only are the Words of HaShem compared to a blossoming rose , but also His bride i.e. Israel is compared to a blossoming rose per Isaiah 35 1-2 which says “The wilderness and the wasteland will rejoice over them (Israel); the desert will be glad and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly and will rejoice, with joyousness and glad song; the glory of Lebanon has been given to her; the majesty of the Carmel and the Sharon; they will see the glory of HaShem, the majesty of our Elohim.”

Additionally, He uses the allegory of a rose per the Judaica Press Shir HaShirim commentary which says “Symbolizing the prophets sent by HaShem to preach His words, which are like roses, whose fragrance wafts over long distances, for they foretell what will take place at the End of Days, and they herald much good and prosperity.”

Shir HaShirim 5:14 says “The Tablets, His handiwork, are desirable above even rolls of fine gold; they are studded with commandments precious as gems, the Torah’s innards are sparkling as ivory intricately overlaid with precious stone.”

Pay close attention to the picture associated with this verse and notice the various colors as well as the stars and the comet! You will see why this is important here shortly.

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary says regarding this verse the following “The Tablets which He gave with His right hand and which were the handiwork of Elohim per Exodus 32:16 which says ‘The Tablets were Elohim’s handiwork, and the script was the script of Elohim, engraved on the Tablets.’ Rods of Elohim are the Ten Commandments, of which it is said per Psalms 19:1 ‘They are more desirable than gold, even than much fine gold.’ Rods i.e. rolls alludes to the Midrash that the Tablets were of a miraculous nature, they were of hard stone, yet they rolled up. The Ten Commandments are like rods of gold studded with precious stones because all 613 Commandments are alluded to in the Ten Commandments.”

“Tarsis (Sapphire) is a precious stone, described by the commentators as blue in color: The Bible names it per Exodus 28:20 as one of the stones set into the fourth row of the Choshen, the Breastplate of Judgment worn by the Kohen HaGadol. According to others, the verse allegorizes the expanse of the heavens i.e. the product of His Hands per Psalms 8:4 ‘The heavens, work of Your fingers’, which glow abright like gold and are studded with jewel like stars.”

So, when we look up into the night sky and see the stars in the heavens fashioned by the Fingers of HaShem, we are literally, in my opinion, see the Torah of HaShem in action. I know I keep pounding this fact home in this Op, but again the question must be asked, is it truly a biblical fact HaShem sent this Jesus figure to earth to release humanity from the bondage of His demonic Torah. Yes, many Christians I have had the displeasure of encountering over the recent years refer to His Torah as being demonically inspired and the epitome of death and destruction citing Paul’s letters as the proof text….makes me see purple because of just how utterly absurd and utterly demonically inspired this Replacement Theology doctrine truly is and just how much damage it has and continues to do…okay, I am off my rant again. Moving on.

Now, Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 5.12 elaborates and equates a Sapphire with the Torah. It says “The Torah weakens the strength of people (Physically) who study it, even if they are as tough as sapphire. If you say that sapphire is soft, come and see that you are mistaken, for there was once an incident that happened with a certain person who brought a sapphire to Rome to sell it. The purchaser said to him, ‘I will buy it on condition that you consent to test it and prove its genuineness.’ He tested it by trying to break off a small piece from it. He placed it on an anvil and started to beat on it with a hammer. The result was the anvil split and the hammer became flattened, but the sapphire was in its place, and was not lacking a single piece. And thus it is written, inlaid with sapphires.”

“In the millennia since (Israel being given the Torah), many hammers and many anvils (Kingdoms, nations and pagan religious systems) have south to crush the sapphire (Torah) but to no avail. As Israel said to HaShem ‘Master of the Universe, if not for Your Torah that You gave us, the nations would have long ago destroyed us.’ Therefore, the pages of world history are filled with the scattered remains of blunted hammers and fragmented anvils, and the sapphire remains UNCHANGED!” What an amazing description of HaShem and His Torah and no matter how hard the world to include Christendom seeks to destroy and tear apart His Torah, it is they who end up shattered and destroyed while His Torah remains unchanged! Baruch HaShem!!

Shir HaShirim 5:15 says “The Torah’s columns are marble set in contexts of gingold (Finest gold), its contemplation flowers like Lebanon, it is sturdy as cedars.”

The commentary expands on this verse and explains “The columns of the Torah which are interpreted in connection with what follows and what precedes them. What do they resemble? A pillar which has a pedestal below and above. So the sections of the Torah are interpreted by relating them to what follows and what precedes them. Whoever contemplates upon His Word finds flowers and shrubs like a blooming forest i.e. Lebanon being a forest. Such is Torah in that whoever meditates therein discovers limitless wisdom and understanding. He is the choicest, just as cedar is the choicest for building, strength, and height. HaShem so surpasses anything around Him that it is futile to attempt a description of Him by comparison with any other being.”

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 5.14 expounds “His legs are pillars of marble. This is referring to the world. The world is referred to as pillars of marble because the world was founded i.e. created in six days, as it is written per Exodus 31:17 ‘For in a six day period HaShem made heaven and earth.'”

“Set upon sockets of finest gold. These are referring to the sections of the Torah, which are expounded by virtue of their juxtapositions to sections before them and after them. So that the verse is saying the world, alluded too in the previous phrase, is set upon the sections of the Torah i.e. it is supported by the Torah. And hence what are they similar too? To a pillar, which has a base on the bottom and a capital on top.”

What’s the message being conveyed? HaShem and His Torah are inseparable, to toss His Torah out as being irrelevant now, is to toss HaShem out as well! All of creation depends upon HaShem and His Torah in order to not only be sustained but to also function as everything was created to do so!!

Shir HaShirim 5:16 says “The words of His palate are sweet and He is all delight. This is my Beloved and this is my Friend, O nations who are destined to ascend to Jerusalem.”

The commentary on this verse says “It is written per Amos 5:4, ‘For thus said Elohim to the House of Israel, seek Me and live.’ Could anything be sweeter than this?! When the wicked man turns away from his wickedness, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall live per Ezekiel 33:19 i.e. if he is truly sorry for his misdeed, his iniquities shall be counted as merits. Could anything be sweeter than this?!”

“This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend and it is for all these virtues that I am sick for His love. This is the triumphant conclusion of her (Israel) answer to the cynical question posed to her in verse 9. This sums up the description of My Beloved, O nations of the world! This is why He is more beloved to me than any other, and why I willingly subject myself to every tribulation for the sanctification of His Name.”

Again, we see this is not a religious experience, but it is a personal relationship with HaShem and His Torah is the vehicle i.e. the means to know Him and to know how to serve and live our lives in service unto Him! Salvation is obtained by faith but Torah is the means to put that faith into action! Moving on.

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 6.4 says “Magnificence in the mundane. In distinguishing between Israel and other nations, the Midrash emphasizes the special nature of our mundane activities. It goes without saying that our principles of faith, modes of worship, and festival celebrations are different from theirs. Our everyday pursuits differ as well.”

“Man made religions tend to compartmentalize human life. There are times to nurture the body and times to nurture the soul, places for temporal endeavors and places for spiritual ones. There is little overlap between the two sides of this dichotomy, little communication between heaven and earth.”

“This is not HaShem’s model for Israel. There is but one focus in Jewish life i.e. to serve HaShem and sanctify His Name. So that all aspects of our lives may be permeated with thoughts of our Creator and our obligations toward Him, the Torah prescribes numerous mitzvos that places limits on, and give direction to, virtually every human activity, no matter how far removed they may seem from the dedicated religious institutions of time and space .”

“In a Midrash elsewhere, the Sages expound the verse ‘Light is sown for the righteous’ quoting Psalms 97:11, as a reference to the mitzvos, with whose light HaShem seeded the world to allow His children to earn a share of eternity.”

“What is the meaning of this ‘Seeds of light’ metaphor? In this world, of natural law, camouflaged by the illusion that man controls his surroundings and fate. To help a person remember his place and purpose in this world, to remind him of the hidden Presence of the Divine in each of man’s mundane tasks, HaShem implanted a kernel of sacred light, in the form of a mitzvah specific to that task. As a result, when a person performs a physical action, when he exercises his will in the world, he need only do the accompanying mitzvah to release the light it contains. For a moment, the concealing darkness is dispelled, and in his heart a vision of the Holy One is formed. In that flash of illumination, his path is laid out before him, and he is reminded again of his true purpose in the Creator’s grand scheme of things.”

When we truly grasp our purpose in this life is the service of HaShem as He is the Creator, Sovereign and King of all of His Creation, it can help get the eyes off of ourselves and onto Him, but it will also remind us in the difficult times of Who exactly is in control of everything!! Again, as I have stated in previous Op’s this is why I get so disgusted with Christendom and its Replacement Theology doctrine because it’s stealing so much from many of the people who legitimately want to know HaShem!

I will end this Op here and include one final point which ties in with Shir HaShirim chapter 5……….the following is from the Artscroll published book ‘My Father, my King’ which says “Hear My Voice. Hear your Father, your King, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe saying to you: Hear My Voice in the sound of thunder and sirens. Hear My Voice and let it awaken you. Hear My Voice in the blast of the shofar. Hear My Voice and let it awaken you.”

“Hear My Voice in the voice of Torah scholars, and let their words and deeds teach and inspire you. Hear My Voice in the voice of those crying and let it arouse your compassion. Hear My Voice in the call to prayer, whether its a rooster, an alarm clock, or one of My loyal subjects. Hear My Voice in the sound of the rain, and in the blowing of the wind.”

“Hear My Voice in the mighty waterfalls and hear My Voice in the subtle sound of the most beautiful garden, with its multitude of colorful flowers on a spring day. Hear My Voice in the roar of a lion, and in the song of birds. Hear My Voice in the sound of every infant. Hear My Voice in the laughter of children. Hear My Voice when people rejoice at a wedding, and hear My Voice when people cry at a funeral. Hear My Voice in every call for help. Hear My Voice in every opportunity to do good. Hear My Voice and follow Me.”

Much to consider!!!

Now on to Shir HaShirim Chapter 6!

Shalom!

SOURCE MATERIALS:

• Shir HaShirim by Artscroll
• Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah by Artscroll
• The Illuminated Shir HaShirim by Artscroll
• The Steinsaltz Chumash by Koren Publishers
• Talmud Bavli by Artscroll
• Talmud Bavli by Steinsaltz and Koren Publishers
• Yerushalmi Talmud by Artscroll
• The Writings by Artscroll
• The Prophets by Artscroll
• The Milstein Edition of The Chumash with the teaching of the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Midrash Kehati Edition
• The Stone Edition Tanach by Artscroll
• The Scriptures by the Institute for Scripture Research
• My Father, My King by Artscroll

“Thus said HaShem, Master of Legions: ‘In those days (The End of Days) it WILL happen that ten men (Non-Jews), of all the different languages of the nations, WILL take hold, they will take hold of the corner of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that HaShem is with you!'” Zechariah 8:23

The following two videos are produced by Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries during his weekly Chavurah teaching series. For the last two weeks he is addressing the topic of Non-Jews entering the covenant and therefore what is their relation to the Torah of HaShem? Joe bases his answers to this question upon historical and Scriptural facts as recorded in the Apostolic Writings.

These are extremely important videos especially right now, in light of the collapsing world we are currently living in as well as the constant doctrine being promoted and taught in certain Messianic and Hebrew Roots congregations to separate from learning anything from the Orthodox Jews. By rejecting what HaShem has given as resources and tools to learn and improve our walks with Him we are in fact not walking with Him. Further, by forsaking Moses, as is defined in Acts 21, we are in fact going our own way! It boils down to, Know Torah = Know Yeshua; No Torah = No Yeshua!

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

These videos are posted with Joe’s permission:

Part One of ‘Non-Jews and Torah’

https://www.facebook.com/HatikvaMinistries/videos/1293954871146610

Part Two of ‘Non-Jews and Torah’

https://www.facebook.com/HatikvaMinistries/videos/1205354330349029

“He who loves purity of heart, and whose lips are gracious, the King is his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

As I began to put this Op together it is 22 September 2022. There is much going on in the world! Everything from weather storms, earthquakes and not just physical earthquakes but also political earthquakes per se! Wars are erupting and or escalating! But, one of the most amazing and encouraging news reports in the last few days are the reports of the five red heifers which were shipped from Texas to Israel, for the Parah Adumah ceremony per Bamidbar (Numbers 19), which is required for a rebuilt Temple!

Now the biblical requirements for the Red Heifer is extremely strenuous and so stringent people will know it only came from HaShem! Mankind could not in any way, shape or form manipulate the Red Heifer! Unfortunately, while encouraging as it is, the reports of these red heifers has provoked and brought out those who are extremely threatened and enraged by the thought of a red heifer because of its connection to the Temple of HaShem!

The common objection to these red heifers and to the Temple primarily emerges from Replacement Theology Christendom who see these red heifers, the korbonot (Offerings) and the Temple itself as being the domain of HaSatan and the epitome of wickedness and the absolute abomination against the one Christendom serves. I say this not to bash anyone, but to point this out as being another giant indicator of where I believe, in my opinion, where we are on the timeline of HaShem!

Because the Temple of HaShem is SO important and central in His entire Word, I thought it would be a good reminder as we begin chapter five i.e. the middle of Shir HaShirim and the beginning of the second half of Shir HaShirim, to remember just how important the Temple of HaShem is.

The following is an excerpt from the book ‘The Temple: Its symbolism and meaning then and now’ by Joshua Berman. Pages 40-41 says “Virtually every law and commandment listed from Exodus chapter 25, until the consecration of the Tabernacle in Leviticus, chapter 10, pertain DIRECTLY to the Sanctuary (Temple). Significantly, Moses is told to construct the Tabernacle vessels in accordance with the prototype he had seen of each while convening with HaShem on Mount Sinai. The sustained and focused attention to the Tabernacle laws immediately following the theophany narrative is a sign of a connection between the Revelation at Sinai and HaShem’s continued presence among the people in the Sanctuary. The meaning of this connection is explained by Cassuto:

‘In order to understand the significance and purpose of the Tabernacle, we must realize that the children of Israel, after they had been privileged to witness the Revelation of HaShem on Mount Sinai, were about to journey from there and thus draw away from the site of the theophany. So long as they were encamped in the place, they were conscious of HaShem’s nearness; but once they set out on their journey, it would seem to them as though the link had been broken, unless there were in the midst a tangible symbol of HaShem’s presence among them. It was the function of the Tabernacle (literally meaning Dwelling), to serve as such a symbol. Not without reason, therefore, does this section come immediately after the section that describes the making of the Covenant at Mount Sinai. The nexus between Israel and the Tabernacle is a perpetual extension of the bond that was forged at Sinai between the people and their Elohim.”

So, we can see the Temple is akin to Mount Sinai but also to the Garden of Eden! Consider the following link to a previous Op I did earlier this year discussing the need for a Temple in Jerusalem:

THE TEMPLE OF HASHEM IN A WORLD GONE MAD

Continuing from the book ‘The Temple: Its symbolism and meaning then and now’ by Joshua Berman, page 28-29 discussing how the Torah of HaShem is akin to the Tree of Life which was in the center of the Garden of Eden. “In place of eternal physical life offered by the Tree of Life, in the post-Eden era, HaShem offers spiritual life in the form of the Torah per Deuteronomy 30:15-18 which says ‘See, I set before you this day life and good, death and evil. For I command you this day, to love the Lord your Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His laws, and His norms, that you may live and increase…but if your heart turns away…you shall certainly perish.’ The Torah is portrayed here as a source of life. Its depiction as the difference between good and evil and between life and death may be a deliberate reference to the Tree of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life in the Eden narrative and an indication that the Torah supplants them in the aftermath of man’s sin. The Book of Proverbs refers to the wisdom of HaShem’s ways as a tree of life: ‘She is a tree of life for those who grasp her’ per Proverbs 3:18.”

“The Midrash employs this verse (Proverbs 3:18) to demonstrate that the Torah is a substitute for the Tree of Life of Eden: HaShem hid the tree that granted eternal life to all who ate from it and in its place He gave us His Torah. ‘This is the tree of life, for it says, she is a tree of life for those who grasp her, Proverbs 3:18. When a man beholds it, and sees in it HaShem’s wisdom, and His righteous and just laws and statutes, he is immediately induced to adopt a new mind, and observe them. In so doing he acquires for himself reward in this world and in the world to come, as it says, ‘The Lord commanded us to observe all these laws for our lasting good and to grant us life’ per Deuteronomy 6:24.”

The Temple of HaShem is also known as the House of Kedushah i.e. Holiness. What is the definition of the word ‘Kedushah/kadosh/holy?’ The best answer is the following from my very good friend and teacher Joe Good of HaTikvah Ministries which says: “The time, space and objects that are limited to us through the agency of kedusha (Holiness) are signs that as HaShem’s covenantal partners, we must relinquish some control in every sphere of our existence and reserve those elements for His service!” 

Keep all this in mind as we explore chapter five of Shir HaShirim. Understand, there is SO much to explore, it would literally take enormous amounts of space on this blog to cover, so I must do this in sections, thus, this first part of Part 5 will only cover verses one and two. But as always, never forget the following eternal characteristics of HaShem:

• HaShem never changes per Num 23:19/Mal 3:6/Hebrews 13:8/James 1:17
• His Word is firmly established per Psalm 119:89
• He reveals the end out of the beginning per Is 46:10
• He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets per Amos 3:7
• He says there is nothing new under the sun per Ecclesiastes 1:9
• He says His Torah is the ONLY truth there is per Psalms 119:142
• He says His Torah is a tree of life and eternal per Proverbs 3:18-19 and Psalm 119:160
• He says His Torah is perfect and restores the soul per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah makes the simple one wise per Psalm 19:7
• He says His Torah Is freedom and liberty per Psalm 119:45 and James 1:25
• He says His Torah is the only good doctrine there is Proverbs 4:2
• He says His Torah will add length of days and years of life and peace per Proverbs 3:2
• He says all of the ways of His Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace per Proverbs 3:17
• He says His Torah is for our good and well-being per Deuteronomy 6:24
• He says His Torah is health for our lives per Proverbs 3:8
• He says His Torah is life to our soul and a graceful ornament for our neck per Prov 3:22
• He says His Torah is better than pearls and all desires cannot compare to it per Prov 8:11
• He says those who walk with His Torah are praiseworthy per Psalms 119:1
• He says observing His Torah is how we purify our path per Psalms 119:9
• He says His Torah is better than thousands in gold and silver per Psalms 119:72
• He says His Torah brings abundant peace to those who love Him and His Torah per Psalms 119:165
• He says there is one Torah for all per Exodus 12:49/Leviticus 24:22
• He says those who hate His Torah love death per Proverbs 8:36
• He says His Torah is the way of faith per Psalms 119:29-30
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His Torah is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path per Psalms 119:105
• He says one who finds His Torah has found life per Proverbs 8:35
• He says one who finds His Torah has found favor from HaShem per Proverbs 8:35
• He says Messiah Yeshua is the GOAL of His Torah, meaning without His Torah, Messiah cannot be known per Romans 10:4
• He says if we had believed Moshe/Torah, we would have believed Messiah per John 5:46
• He says His Torah makes us wiser than our enemies per Psalms 119:98
• He says His salvation is far from the wicked for they sought not His Torah per Psalms 119:155
• He says to hold fast to and guard His Torah, for it is our life per Proverbs 4:13
• He says His Torah is the bread of life per Proverbs 9:5

There are sixteen verses in chapter five of Shir HaShirim and we will explore each one, however, verses one and two alone will take an enormous amount of time to explore because there is so much in the verses!

Shir HaShirim 5:1 says “To your Tabernacle Dedication, My sister, O bride, I came as if to My garden. I gathered My myrrh with My spice from your princely incense; I accepted your unbidden as well as your bidden offerings to Me; I drank your libations pure as milk. Eat, My beloved priests! Drink and become G-d intoxicated, O friends!“

What needs to be understood is even though this chapter begins here with verse one, which implies a new trend of thought, it is not a new trend of thought, but a continuation of chapter four! The commentary on this verse from the Artscroll Shir HaShirim book says “According to the Mesorah, therefore, this verse does not begin a new chapter and a new trend of thought. Hence, the commentators view this verse contextually as HaShem’s response to Israel’s request that His Shechinah (Presence) descend upon them and eat of their precious fruit. ‘I have already done as you requested!’ HaShem replies.”

The commentary goes on and says “As it is written in Shemot (Exodus) 40:33-34, ‘And Moshe finished the work, and a cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of HaShem filled the Tabernacle.'” Remember HaShem likens His Temple to His Garden of Eden!

The dedication of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness is explained in Bamidbar (Numbers) chapter seven. After Moshe erected the Tabernacle the dedication of the Tabernacle took eight days. Per the Torah, Moshe began on the 23rd day of the month of Adar and finished on the 1st day of the month of Nissan for a total of eight days! The completion of the dedication of the Tabernacle was also Rosh Chodesh Nissan i.e. the new moon for the beginning of the month of Nissan!

The dedication of the Mizbe’ach (The Altar) however, took twelve days! HaShem commands in Bamidbar 7:11 “HaShem said to Moshe, ‘One leader each day, one leader each day shall they bring their offering for the dedication of the Mizbe’ach.'” There are twelve tribes which comprise Israel which correspond to the twelve stones on the Breastplate worn by the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest)! See the image below for example.

Now remember HaShem is unchanging and He reveals the end from the beginning as there is nothing new under the sun! The dedication and the twelve tribes during this ceremony, which is comprised of Minchah (Bread) offerings, incense, Olah (Burnt), Chatat (Sin) and Shelamim (Peace) offerings. Now remember, as it pertains to the korbonot (Offerings): “The truest offering is when the owner brings himself as the offering. The owner of the animal or grain offering, sets himself apart to HaShem, subservient to the teachings of the Torah. The animal or grain offering is secondary in that it is an indication of what the owner feels and what the owner is striving for!” The meaning of the word ‘Korbonot’ means ‘To draw near to HaShem’. The purpose of the korbonot is not simply to obtain forgiveness from sin, but for the purpose of communing with HaShem, drawing near to Him. To give thanks, gratitude, cleansing from ritual impurity and atonement.

There are THREE species of animals which may be brought as korbonot which, per Vayikra Midrash Rabbah 8.3 states these three species of animals correspond to one of the Patriarchs who exemplify a characteristic of each species of animal:

• Oxen – Corresponds to Abraham who exemplified the characteristic of kindness
• Rams – Corresponds to Isaac who exemplified the characteristic of strength
• Sheep – Corresponds to Jacob who exemplified the characteristic of glory

Per Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:27, an animal selected as a korbonot MUST be at a minimum EIGHT days old and from that point on, it is acceptable to HaShem. Keep this in mind.

There are EIGHT categories of korbonot (Offerings) which may be brought. Not all are for atonement from sin:

• Chatat (Sin)
• Olah (Burnt)
• Asham (Guilt)
• Shelamim (Peace)
• Todah (Thanksgiving)
• Bechor (Firstborn)
• Maaser (Tithing)
• Pesach (Passover)

***Birds may be brought as Olah and Chatat.

What is astounding is when we examine why HaShem decided on eight categories of korbonot. Why did He choose the number eight? Per the book ‘Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers’ when reading about the number eight, it says “The number 8 denotes transcendence. It symbolizes that a Jew is not subject to the natural realm. They have the ability to break free from this world and its limitations.” Further the number 8 relates to the Torah of HaShem in that the Torah is not of this natural world. The number 8 relates to the House of HaShem i.e. His Temple. But most astoundingly the number 8 relates to King Messiah! “Messiah, refers to the anointing of the Davidic Dynasty with oil. The oil used in the Menorah is related to the Messianic King who will illuminate the world with His light.” Okay, moving on.

It is the application of the blood onto the Mizbe’ach (Altar) which atones, not the burning of the meat or the fat. This is just an extremely quick review of what we have discussed in previous Op’s concerning the Korbonot. Now, we can continue with the dedication ceremony which is as follows as stated in Bamidbar (Numbers) seven beginning with the first day. Each head of the tribes brought the same korbonot on each day:

1. Nachson of the tribe of Yehuda. He brought one silver bowl filled with 130 shekels worth of fine flour mixed with oil. One silver basin filled with 70 shekels worth of fine flour mixed with oil for a Minchah (Bread) offering. One gold ladle of 10 shekels worth if incense. One young bull, one ram, one sheep in its first year for an Olah (Burnt) offering. One he-goat for a Chatat (Sin) offering. Two cattle, five rams, five he-goats, five sheep in their first year for a Shelamim (Peace) offering.
2. Nesanel of the tribe of Issachar.
3. Eliav of the tribe of Zevulun
4. Elitzur of the tribe of Reuven
5. Shelumiel of the tribe of Shimon
6. Eliasaph of the tribe of Gad
7. Elishama of the tribe of Ephraim
8. Gamaliel of the tribe of Menasheh
9. Avidan of the tribe of Benyamim
10. Achiezar of the tribe of Dan
11. Pagiel of the tribe of Asher
12. Achira of the tribe of Naphtali

Per Bamidbar (Numbers) 7:84 the twelve heads of the tribes brought a total of:

• 12 silver bowls – Each containing 130 shekels worth of fine flour mixed with oil
• 12 silver basins – Each containing 70 shekels worth of fine flour mixed with oil
• 12 gold ladles – Each containing 10 shekels worth of incense
• 12 bulls, rams, sheep in their first year for the Olah
• 12 he-goats for the Chatat
• 24 bulls
• 60 rams, he-goats, sheep in their first year for the Shelamim

I hope you can thus far see the immense detail involved in this ceremony? And this is just a very quick glance as I am leaving out so much! Continuing on.

His reference to the Incense is a giant topic worthy of its own Op in itself! I will have to summarize as much of it as possible here.

Shemot 30:34 lists four of eleven ingredients which comprise the Temple Incense:

• Stacte
• Onycha
• Galbanum
• Pure Frankincense

Keritot 6A from the Talmud Bavli lists seven more ingredients:

• Myrrh
• Cassia
• Spikenard
• Saffron
• Costus
• Aromatic Bark
• Cinnamon

Per Keritot 6A, Steinsaltz Talmud Bavli, the incense is prepared according to the following manner:

“The Sages taught in a baraita: How is the blending of the incense performed? Balm, and onycha, and galbanum, and frankincense, each of these by a weight of seventy maneh, i.e., seventy units of one hundred dinars. Myrrh, and cassia, and spikenard, and saffron, each of these by a weight of sixteen maneh. Costus by a weight of twelve maneh; three maneh of aromatic bark; and nine maneh of cinnamon. Kersannah lye of the volume of nine kav; Cyprus winen of the volume of three se’a and three more kav, a half-se’a. If one does not have Cyprus wine he brings old white wine. Sodomite salt is brought by the volume of a quarter-kav. Lastly, a minimal amount of the smoke raiser, a plant that causes the smoke of the incense to rise properly. Rabbi Natan says: Also a minimal amount of Jordan amber.”

“The Sages taught in a baraita (Teaching outside of the Mishnah): The incense was prepared from ingredients amounting to the weight of 368 maneh, i.e., 368 units of one hundred dinars. Of these, 365 of them correspond to the days of the solar year. The additional three maneh are those from which the High Priest would bring in to the Sanctuary his handful required on Yom Kippur (see Leviticus 16:12), and the rest, i.e., the incense that was not used over the course of the year, was given to the artisans as their wages.”

Shemot 30:37 says “The incense that you shall make, in its measure you shall not make for yourselves; it shall remain holy to you, for HaShem.”

Mitzvah #110 – The Prohibition to Replicate the Incense – Regarding one who transgressed the prohibition and made a replica of the ketores in accordance with its proportions, in order to smell it, if he did so deliberately, he is liable to kares (excision), and if he did so inadvertently, he is liable to a fixed chatat (Sin) offering.

HaShem says here in Shir HaShirim 5:1 “…Eat, My beloved priests! Drink and become G-d intoxicated, O friends!” His Kohanim (Priests) are the ones who officiate the Temple Avodah (Services) each day and will do so once again hopefully very shortly, HaShem willing!!

The commentary from the Illuminated Shir HaShirim, page 62-63, says “The word for ‘Garden’ is used in the possessive form, meaning ‘My wedding canopy’. HaShem states that He came to His Garden. HaShem placed man on this earth after creating the luminaries, vegetation and plant life, animals, birds, and fish. The entirety of creation was placed at man’s service. HaShem is omnipresent, ‘The whole world is filled with His glory.’ Even before the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Godliness was found on the earth below. As long as mankind lived up to its Divine mission, fulfilling the directives of their Creator, the earth could be the footstool of the Almighty.”

“Man, if he comports himself in accordance with the will of Elohim, can be a vehicle to bring Godliness to himself and to share it with the world. In the time of Moses, who perfected his character and was a prophet with no equal, Elohim rested His Shechinah once more on earth with the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). On that day, the first of Nissan, the verse says, ‘The cloud covered the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting), and the glory of HaShem filled the Tabernacle’ quoting Shemot (Exodus) 40:34. The verses describing the construction of the Mishkan in many instances parallel the terms used in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the Mishkan is a miniature form of Creation itself. With the construction of the Mishkan and its dedication on the first of Nissan, HaShem once more had a place where the Divine Presence could dwell on earth.”

The more man tells HaShem to get out and spits on His Torah, the more the world collapses into insanity and chaos! And then we wonder why the world is in the abominable mess it is in today?

Now consider an excerpt from the Vayikra (Leviticus) Midrash Rabbah 8.3 Insights section which says “Our Midrash teaches that David yearned for the dedicatory offerings of the tribal princes, and that those offerings were as precious as the Song of the Sea, the two Tablets of the Covenant, and the daily offering of Aaron, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), which in turn was as precious before HaShem as the twelve tribes themselves.”

Consider the following from the Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 5.1 when explaining verse 5.1: “Another interpretation of ‘Eat, friends…’ Why did HaShem say this to them? It may be compared to a King who made a feast and invited guests to come join Him, and at the feast the King was going around to all the guests and saying to them, ‘May the food be enjoyable for you! May it be pleasing to you!'” The king here in this parable is HaShem Himself! Again, can you see the compassion, kindness, mercy, in that He as the King is going around to His guests making sure the food is enjoyable? This again captures the heart of Shir HaShirim! HaShem reaching out and seeking out His bride i.e. Israel, who responds to His calls!

The Midrash enhances this further and says “HaShem was like a King Who made a feast and invited guests, and then went around them saying, ‘Eat friend….I hope you like it, I hope you enjoy it!'” Can you imagine having HaShem Himself coming around to His guests i.e. you and I, and encouraging us to enjoy ourselves and to eat from His bounty? There isn’t a king or a president in human history who would do this! THIS is what HaShem does everyday and His Torah is the bounty to eat from and enjoy! Keep this in mind!

Shir HaShirim 5:2 says “I am asleep but my heart is awake. The sound of my Beloved, knocking ‘Open up for Me, My sister, My love, My dove, My perfect one! For My head is filled with dew, My locks with the droplets of the night.'”

The Artscroll Shir HaShirim commentary on this verse says “These verses beautifully and tragically allegorize the period of the First Temple and its destruction; Israel’s evil ways; HaShem’s many compassionate warnings to repent; their recalcitrance followed by His display of wrathful vengeance. They repented, but it was too late, His prophetically foretold Decree of imminent Destruction was not to be annulled.”

The Illuminated Shir HaShirim says from page #63 “For any relationship to flourish, particularly between the people of Israel and HaShem, there has to be a constant vigilance to maintain the level of connectedness. in the time of the First Holy Temple, the Jewish nation did not fulfill its obligation to its Beloved. In a state of spiritual slumber, she drifted from the lofty level that kept her connected to HaShem. Elohim sent His prophets to rebuke and encourage the nation to return, to repent of her ways and return to her Beloved.”

“The verses describe Elohim’s Divine disappointment in His children. If no relationship ever existed, there is little expectation; when there was a strong connection, when the People of Israel were favored as HaShem’s beloved people and then strayed, the relationship is fraught with frustration. The endearing terms that HaShem uses in calling out to His beloved i.e. My sister, My beloved, My dove, My perfect one, display the attempts He has made to bring His people close to Him. Yet a relationship must have reciprocity to continue, and surely to flourish.”

The Judaica Press Shir HaShirim commentary on this verse breaks it down and says “I sleep…When I was confident and tranquil in the First Temple. I despaired of worshipping the Holy One, blessed be He, as one who sleeps and slumbers. But my heart is awake…This is the Holy One blessed be He. But my heart is awake…The Holy One, blessed be He, Who is per Psalms 73:26 ‘The Rock of my (Israel’s) heart and my portion,’ is awake to guard me and to benefit me. Hark! My beloved is knocking…He causes His Shechinah to rest upon the prophets and He admonishes through them by sending them. Open for me…Do not cause Me to withdraw from you. For my head is full of dew…A term referring to a man who comes at night, knocking on the door of his beloved. He says thus, ‘Because of love for you, I have come at night at the time of dew or rain’, and the allegory is that, ‘My head is full of dew because I am full of good will and satisfaction with Abraham your father, whose deeds pleased Me like dew, and behold, I come to you, loaded with blessings and the payment of reward for good deeds if you return to Me!'”

So, again we see HaShem reaches out to His bride, Israel, and knocks on the door hoping Israel responds and opens up for Him! My point is, again we see the astounding kindness, compassion, mercy and forgiveness of HaShem! How much more disgraceful, disrespectful and offensive is it when people not only reject HaShem but to actually refer to what He has given i.e. His Torah, His Feasts, His Shabbat, etc, as something akin to trash, the source of death, destruction, deception, bondage, sin, and the power of Satan himself as Christendom in its doctrine has and continues to teach today! Moving on.

The Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah expounds on this verse even more…be ready to be astounded again at the lengths HaShem goes to redeem His people!!

Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah 5.2 says “I am asleep from anticipating the Messianic End, but my heart is awake for anticipating the Redemption.” The notes associated with this says “The Messianic End, the set time by which the Messianic Redemption will take place no matter what. Since I have been in exile for so long, I have sometimes despaired of the End ever arriving. For under certain circumstances, Elohim will redeem Israel even before the set time for the End.”

Here is the good stuff!!

“What does it mean when He tells Israel to ‘Open up’ for Him? The Holy One, blessed is He, is saying to the people of Israel, ‘Open up for Me an opening of repentance, LIKE THE SIZE OF A POINT OF A NEEDLE, and I, in return, will open for you openings that are so wide that wagons and carriages can enter them!‘” WOW…consider that! If we decide to make teshuvah i.e. repent, just a tiny bit, like the size of a needle, HaShem will then open that point of a needle to the size, figuratively speaking, that wagons and carriage can enter them! Meaning, if we just have a needle point of teshuvah, HaShem is that ready to move to help us!

Its important to know, this concept is NOT confined to the time of the Exodus, but “to a general, timeless message from HaShem to Israel!”

From the ‘Insights Section’ in the Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah titled ‘The Prick of Needle’ it says “Where does one make this needle size opening? In the heart. Any contemplation of repentance, and good deed, any moment of triumph over one’s evil inclination forms an opening in the iron partition that separates one’s heart from his Father in Heaven. And then a wave of Divine assistance will come down through that hole, sweeping a person out of his lowly, materialistic state, and raising him up to a far higher spiritual level. There is, however, one condition. The opening one forms must truly be like that bored by a needle i.e. a penetrating hole that passes entirely through the pierced material. In other words, the breakthrough must be durable, reflecting a resolve that is hardy and sincere. If it is not, if one’s resolve is marked by hesitancy and indecision, then, it is more like a hole formed by a finger in a pool of water, which closes up on its own as soon as the finger is removed.”

“Once a person fulfills this condition, he is eligible for the grand dividends spoken of in the Midrash. And marvelous they are, compared to the principle invested i.e. a gateway spacious enough for wagons and chariots, formed from a hole as minute as a needle’s point, an exponential increase not only in size but in quality as well.”

“The Talmud derives this idea from a verse in Leviticus 11:44 which says ‘You (Israel) are to sanctify yourselves and you shall become holy.’ What seems like a redundancy actually teaches us that when a person sanctifies himself even a little, from below in this world, he will be sanctified to a much greater degree from Above, here and in the World to Come.”

“How wonderful is HaShem’s kindness! Not only does He infuse us with a generous dose of spiritual energy in response to each puny step we take in His direction, but He even gives us credit for all the progress that we subsequently make, as if we had accomplished it all on our own.”

The point I want to highlight again, is HaShem is longsuffering, wishing NONE would perish, but that ALL would repent! Just a tiny speck of sincere repentance the size of a needlepoint and He will do the rest!! This also tells us when we begin to answer His call to shrug off the religious systems of the world i.e. Christendom, and to embrace His Torah, we won’t know hardly anything and thus it can look incredibly overwhelming; but we start out small, just like a needlepoint, and He will help us progress and move forward learning more and more as time passes by. You will be surprised at how much you can learn once you begin to sincerely ask Him to help you do so! Again, the great kindness and compassion of our Great King!

So, why does HaShem refer to Israel as His ‘Sister’ or His ‘Bride’? Per the Shir HaShirirm Midrash Rabbah it tells us HaShem refers to Israel as His sister because Israel clung unto HaShem during the exile. He refers to Israel as His bride because Israel was decimated for Him while in exile and quotes Psalms 44:23 which says “Because for Your sake we are killed all day long, we are considered as sheep for slaughter.” In the Messianic future HaShem will refer to Israel as His sister because Israel will be fully attached to Him. He will refer to Israel as His bride because of Lamentations 2:15 which says “All who pass along the way clap hands at you; they whistle and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, ‘Could this be the city that was called Perfect in Beauty, Joy of All the Earth?'” The nations here realize how incredibly destructive for the world it was for them to destroy the Temple and Jerusalem and had they known just how destructive it was going to be, they wouldn’t have done so.

Further, why does He refer to Israel as His dove? Again the Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah says “All doves have markings that distinguish them from each other. Similarly, the Israelites became distinguishable from others through the mitzvos (Commandments/Torah) that are unique to them.” Uh oh, Replacement Theology Christendom once again has a real problem on its hands, because once more we see it is HaShem’s Torah which distinguishes His people from the world!! If you toss out His Torah, what sets and distinguishes you from the world? Nothing!

The Midrash goes on and says “Those who received commandments at Marah, for it was there that the Israelites were given commandments and became DISTINGUISHABLE through the mitzvos and righteous acts and good deeds that they were commanded to do.” Marah was a station in the Wilderness HaShem led Israel through when He delivered them from Egypt. The name ‘Marah’ in Hebrew means ‘Bitter‘.

What commandments were given to Israel at Marah which sets Israel apart from the nations of the world? Shemot (Exodus) 15:25-26 says “He (Moshe) cried out to HaShem, and HaShem showed him a tree; he (Moshe) threw it into the water (Bitter waters/Marah) and the water became sweet. There He established for the nation a decree and an ordinance, and there He tested it. He said, ‘If you hearken diligently to the voice of HaShem, your Elohim, and do what is just in His eyes, give ear to His commandments and observe all His decrees, then any of the diseases that I placed on Egypt, I will not bring upon you, for I am HaShem, your Healer.”

The Chumash commentary on these two verses says “At Marah, HaShem commanded Israel to observe ten mitzvos even before the Torah was given. These include the seven mitzvos given to the sons of Noah, the mitzvah to establish courts i.e. judgment, the mitzvah to observe Shabbat, and the mitzvah to honor one’s parents!” So, again we see at the very least it is Shabbat, His Shabbat, which distinguishes His people from the world!

Tractate Sanhedrin 56b from the Talmud Bavli says “The Jewish people were commanded to observe ten mitzvot when they were in Marah: Seven that the descendants of Noah accepted upon themselves, and HaShem added to them the following mitzvos: Judgment, and Shabbat, and honoring one’s father and mother.” This was all BEFORE He gave the complete Torah at Sinai! Again this has gigantic implications for Replacement Theology because it shows once more His Shabbat IS for everyone and is very much a means to be distinguished unto Him!

What does HaShem mean when He says “My Head is filled with dew, My locks with the droplets of the night?” Per the Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah it says “This verse refers to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the words for my head is filled with dew reflecting what is written concerning that event, even the heavens trickled quoting Judges 5:4, which says ‘HaShem, as You left Seir, as You strode from the field of Edom, the earth quaked and even the heavens trickled; even the clouds dripped water.'” This is the event when before HaShem offered the Torah to Israel, He first offered it to the offspring of Esau i.e. Edom, on Mount Seir. They refused it and then He went to Israel who accepted it. The commentary for Judges 5:4 expounds on this and says “Poetically, Deborah depicts the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, according to the tradition of the Sages, that before giving the Torah to Israel, HaShem offered it to the offspring of Esau, who dwelt on Mount Seir and the field of Edom. Only after they refused it out of hand did HaShem advance in splendor to Mount Sinai for His rendezvous with Israel. Since the Torah is so awesome that heaven and earth quaked when it was given, as it were, it is understandable that Israel should suffer for forsaking it, and be helped when it repented.” HaShem is describing the sky and clouds at Mount Sinai using the metaphor of His head and His hair.

Judaica Press Shir HaShirim commentary further says “For My head is full of dew, is a term referring to a man who comes at night, knocking on the door of his beloved. He says thus, ‘Because of love for you, I have come at night at the time of dew or rain,’ and the allegory is that, ‘My head is full of dew because I am full of good will and satisfaction with Abraham your father, whose deeds pleased Me like dew, and behold, I come to you, loaded with blessings and the payment of reward for good deeds if you return to Me.'”

Can you see how much HaShem loves His bride Israel and to what extent He goes to bring her back to Him? And remember this Op is covering just pieces of what is recorded in all the source materials for verses one and two of chapter five of Shir HaShirim!! The next Op will continue chapter five!

Much to consider!

Shalom!

SOURCE MATERIALS:

• Shir HaShirim Midrash Rabbah by Artscroll
• Shir HaShirirm by Judaica Press
• The Chumash with the Teachings of the Talmud by Artscroll
• The Illuminated Shir HaShririm by Artscroll
• Shir HaShirim by Artscroll
• Tractate Sanhedrin Talmud Bavli Steinsaltz
• The Temple its Symbolism and Meaning Then and Now by Joshua Berman
• Measure the Pattern Volume 1 by Joseph Good of HaTikvah Ministries