Study the Scriptures!

Parashat Shemini – Leviticus 9-11

Shemini means 8 (Eight)

In book of Exodus or Shemot, we are explained how to build the Tabernacle. In the book of Leviticus, or Vayikra, we and our priests are instructed how to perform the different sacrifices to the LORD. We are now in the third parashat of Vayikra, called Shemini.

There are many subjects to study here; however, I would like to speak about an insight the LORD gives us from the Hebrew.  After Moses had seen how Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abiu had died before the LORD; he was being extra careful and was still giving specific instructions on the offering procedures to Aaron and his other 2 sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. On chapter 10, verse 16 we read that Moses inquired about the male goat of the sin offering, which had already been burned.  Aaron explained that in his grieving condition, he did not think his eating of the offering would have been acceptable to the LORD; this answer appeased Moses.  

It is said in the Talmud by our early sages, the soferim, the scribes, meaning those who count, that right here in Leviticus 10:16 is the very middle of the word count of the Torah and the two words that are right at the center are: DAROSH, DARASH.

In this verse in Hebrew, the verb DERASH is repeated to indicate that he, Moses searched diligently and carefully.  DAROSH DARASH Moshe.

This makes us think that this is important to God in reference to searching His Word.  Studying the Torah requires to search the Torah; to search the Scriptures. We can interpret these words as STUDY, STUDY! We must inquire of the Word of God constantly. It is the Word of the Creator of the Universe; it is our instruction manual.

Proverbs 8 and 9 urge us to learn wisdom from the Word of God. “Receive my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold”.

Psalm 12 says, the Words of ADONAI are pure, as silver purified in a furnace of the earth purified seven times.

Jeremiah says we are to understand and know Him, for He is ADONAI who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness. In this, He delights.

Yeshua said: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Search, search, inquire, seek, knock.

We are encouraged by the words: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him”.

We are further encouraged, to dig into the Word by knowing that: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

We are exhorted to study to show ourselves approved unto God. To be diligent on giving Him our very best.

We know that the heart of our Good Father through the Scriptures is to reveal His plan of redemption and salvation to us, Yeshua. Yeshua said to the religious men of His time: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. In Yeshua are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge of God. All the fullness of God is in our precious Redeemer. 

In Luke 24, we read that on the way to Emmaus, two disciples, Cleopas and his companion, are sad, thinking about Yeshua’s death. Suddenly the resurrected Yeshua joins them and they don’t recognize Him. As he inquiries about their conversation, they explain… Yeshua of Nazaret, a prophet, powerful in deed and word before God and all the people. How He was put to death. We were hoping that He was the One to redeem Israel. Some of our women say they went to His tomb and saw a vision of angels but He is not there! To this thought, Yeshua answered: “Oh foolish ones, so slow of heart to put your trust in all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures. As they urged Him to stay with them since it was late, “it happened that when He was reclining at the table with them, He took the matzah, offered a bracha and, breaking it, gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from them. They then recognized their hearts burnt as He spoke to them. The things told by Yeshua here, are not specified, they are left for us to search and find more revelation about Him. We pray, Ruach HaKodesh, continue to reveal Yeshua to us.

All the scripture is God breathed! It’s all about Yeshua. John 1 says He is the Word. Yeshua is the essence, the substance of the Torah.

As we count the Omer and ponder about the AWESOME WORD OF GOD as we read Psalm 119 – our love for Torah – God’s instruction.  As we practice DAROSH DARASH, as we read intently, as we search, as we dig into the Word, as we “study study”; Yeshua will be more and more revealed to us.

We are invited by God Himself to know Him intimately, yadah, by reading His Word.

In John 17 Yeshua says, and this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yeshua the Messiah, the One You sent.

Thank you, Abba, for giving us Your Truth, Your Word. Thank you for giving us Yeshua. Ahmen.

https://torahportions.ffoz.org/torah-portions/allportions/shemini/

http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/698,2210154/How-many-words-and-letters-are-in-the-Torah.html

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1883118/jewish/What-Is-the-Midpoint-of-the-Torah.htm

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/soferim