Scroll to Scroll: Todays Parsha #53: Haazinu (Give ear/listen) with Shabbat Shuvah readings.

PART 1: THE LAST AND CURRENT TORAH PORTIONS ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS STUDY QUESTIONS (Nitzvaim-Vayelech): 1) In this short Torah portion is a little line that totally blows of the water the false Christian teaching of Dispensationalismor the idea that there was ONLY an Age of Law in the Tanakh and ONLY an Age of Grace in the NT. Where is that line? 'Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love Yahweh your God with all your heart and soul, and so will live. (Deuteronomy 30:6 NJB) So much for the idea that spiritual circumcision in the NT is a substitute for the physical circumcision it the Tanakh. BOTH are needed! 2) The Rabbis have started the Haftorah portion at 61:10 rather than 61:1, perhaps because Yshua read from 61:1 in Luke 4. However, while they may have avoided quoting from Yshua, they ran right smack dab into quoting someone else who is fairly important to Yshua as well! Who is this person and where is the quote?
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I exult for joy in Yahweh, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in a cloak of saving justice, like a bridegroom wearing his garland, like a bride adorned in her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10 NJB) This is fairly close to what Maryam, Yshuas mother says in Luke 1:46:

46 And Maryam said, "My soul magnifies Master YHWH.

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I find this pretty interesting because MORVA is derived from RAB which means make great, multiply in Aramaic which literally means to EXULT as the Hebrew does. So the Rabbis may have avoided quoting Isaiah that Yshua read from but they still bumped into the part of Isaiah Maryam quoted from!

3) How is a detail in this Torah portion directly linked to one of the greatest miracles in Exodus?
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"Sulphur! Salt!-The whole country is burning! No one will sow, nothing grow, no vegetation spring ever again! Devastation like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, devastated by Yahweh in his furious wrath!" 23 And all the nations will exclaim, "Why has Yahweh treated this country like this? Why this great blaze of anger?" (Deuteronomy 29:22-23 NJB) The word for ANGER is APH, which means NOSTRIL. Anger is a kind of a snort whereby YHWH opened the Sea of Reeds and expressed that anger against the Egyptians. Now however its Israels turn, if they disobey, to face the same force that parted the waters. 1) Meaning of this weeks Torah portion and summary of contents: Haazinu means give your ears or listen. It is the opening stanza of Moshes last song that he spoke of at the end of the previous portion. Although the language is poetic, the graphic imagery is meant for easy remembrance and its warnings are definitely LITERAL. There is no other poetry done as well in Tanakh except perhaps Job 38-42. Please understand that my intention here is to prepare you for the rigors of these Set-Apart days, not necessarily do all the readings for you. I want to lay a firm foundation in terms of plain spoken meanings of the text and historical context but the actual efforts I cannot do for another person. 2) Parsha (English-Deuteronomy 32:1-52). This week we will read the entire portion. 3) Play by Play commentary where appropriate. 4) Point out key Hebrew words/terms. Color Commentary: HAAZINU (32:1) = give your ears (literal) or listen well. LEKACH (32:2) = lesson, denotes an oral teaching. However, that doesnt meant it wont be preserved in the written Torah later, as this clearly was. KI SHEM YAHWAY EKRA (32:3) = when I shall proclaim YHWHs name. Rabbis have twisted this to say YHWHs teachings because His Name is under the ban. EKRA (proclaim, call) can also mean read which implies that we are to both shout out and write down YHWHs Name.

HATZUR TAMIM PAOLO (32:4) = Literally: The Rock, perfect are His Deeds. Others idiomatically render the rock as Mighty One or God, as Septuagint translates. Also appears in 32:18 and 32:31. SHICHET (32:5) = destruction. From Bibleort.org: (Ralbag; Malbim; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah). Literally, 'Destruction to Him not His children their defect.' Or, 'They have hurt themselves, not Him, faulted children' (Targum); 'The defect of His non-children is that they have been corrupt to Him' (Ibn Ezra; Ramban; Sforno); 'They were corrupt to Him, not [like] children; this is the defect of the warped and twisted generation' (Saadia; cf. Lekach Tov); 'They have been corrupt, not Him, it is His children's defect' (Ralbag); 'The ones who have corrupted His [name] are not His children because of their defect' (Abarbanel); 'Is destruction His? No! It is the fault of His children' (Moreh Nevukhim 3:12; Chizzkuni); 'Have they corrupted Him? No. It is [merely] their own defect' (Abarbanel); 'He destroyed His non-children, but it was their own fault' (Chizzkuni); 'Their defect has corrupted it so that they are no longer His children' (Hirsch); or, 'They were corrupt, not [pleasing] Him, defective children' (Septuagint). HEVEL (32:9) = lot, but can also mean rope. YELEL (32:10) = can mean parched which is the probable meaning, but also howling, perhaps a reference to the winds blowing sand. NACHAH (32:12) = guided, but also can mean to give rest. So perhaps YHWH did both, i.e. guided them to rest/comfort. YESHURUN (32:15) = the one who sees, or according to others, the upright one (from Yashar). Septuagint renders it the beloved one meaning Israel. TAHPUCHOT (32:20) = reverses itself. Literally, to go the adverse direction off of the right road. Perverse in other words. VELO EL (32:21) = and no-gods. However the root of el is also mighty ones so it could read and those of no power; also see Galatians 4:8. PAAH (32:26) = literally corner or to remove them from every corner, banish, utterly destroy wherever they are. VEAMAR EY ELOHEYMO TSUR CHASAYU VO = (32:37) = Elohim will say, Where is THEIR ROCK in whose power they trusted? This brings new meaning to on this rock I will build my assembly, with Yshua calling all back to proper worship in part through Peter but most especially through Torah observance. CHAY ANOCHI LEOLAM (32:40) = I am Life forever or I am Life everywhere (i.e. for the universe).

PAROTH (32:42) = can be related to Pharaoh or to having long hair. VAYAVO MOSHE VAYEDABAR (32:44) = Moshe came and proclaimed (this song). He actually does this three times, in Deuteronomy 31:22 to those around him, Deuteronomy 31:28 to the elders and Deuteronomy 31:30 to all of Israel. ASHER ANOCHI MEID BACHEM HAYOM (32:46) = that I warn before you today, but literally, I bear witness. See notes for Deuteronomy 6:4 on how the WITNESS is embedded in the Masoretic text for the words of the Shema. HAYOM HAZEH (32:48) = that very day. Some rabbis think this references the noon time on the day of Moshes death and birth where all these things are being proclaimed from 32:1 to the end of the book. Because of a variety of factors for this time of year, our focus must shift into the moedim of the 7th month. So there are no study questions for this portion per se but there are other special features coming in this and subsequent portions. The overriding need is to prepare for the most Set-Apart time of the year and that is not business as usual! Torah Question of the Week: What is the one image in this weekly portion that has not been seen since the days of Adam? END PART 1

PART 2: THE HAFTORAH Torah Question of the Week: What is the one image in this portion that has not been seen since the days of Adam?
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If I sharpen My flashing sword, And My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me. (Deu 32:41 NAU) The last time YHWH had a flashing sword was when He commanded the cherubim with a flaming sword to keep the way to the tree of life. 1) Haftorah portion (Haazinu): (English- 2 Samuel 22:1-51) and discuss common themes with the Torah portion. Read entire portion first. 2) Our linguistic commentary CHEBEL (22:6) = cords, as in of Sheol/death. This same word was thought to be pains of death in Acts 2:24 but there is no pain in death itself, only in dying or perhaps in future judgment. The same word however can mean pain/travail/corruption in Acts 2:27 and other places, so it is easy to see where the mistranslation into Greek came in. SUKKOT (22:12) = booths. It is very interesting that darkness would be said to have a dwelling place or booths where it is stored. It sounds similar to statements in Job. Darkness then is not merely the absence of light but a force in its own right. At least, it was before the light was born. YAREM MIN SHAMAYIM YAHWAY (22:14) = and thundered from heaven YHWH. This word for thunder RAAM is the same word in Aramaic that Yshua uses to name his disciples sons of thunder. Actually, Yshua says BENAY RAGSHEE but since RAGSHEE has a bunch of meanings, Mark picked REAMA in 3:17 as his translation to make it clear which meaning was intended. REAMA and RAAM are the same word. SHUB (22:21) = recompensed, but literally, restored, turned me back. TAMIM (22:24) = blameless, but the real meaning is I was complete before Him meaning that his righteousness was complete, perfected. TZARAPH (22:31) = tested, but literally smelted, refined as in a great fire. HA EL MAUZI CHAYIL (22:33) = the El is my strong fortress. CHAYIL, the word for strong, powerful in Aramaic is CHAYLA and designates specifically the power for Yshua to do miracles for his Father YHWH. It is referenced in the Lords Prayer as Kingdom, POWER, glory.

3) Shabbat Shubah Haftorah Portion and Linguistic Commentary: Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20 and Joel 2:15-17. HOSEA 14:2-10: NASA (14:2) = take away but literally carry off. PARIM SHAPATINU (14:3) = word play between fruit of our lips and steer/bull from our lips, both PAR. The idea is clearly that our words can in some cases substitute for animal offerings. MESHUBAH (14:4) = apostasy, but literally, turning away, as in from YHWHs truth and into the lie of paganism. Same verb is used later in this line, My anger has TURNED away from them. PARACH (14:8) = blossom, or be fruitful. There is much fruitful imagery in this chapter of Hosea, climaxing with a plea to Ephraim, whose name also means fruitful. EPHRAIMPERI (14:9) = again a word play. From Ephraim comes HIS FRUIT (PERI). MICAH 7:18-20: MI EL KAMOCHA (7:18) = who is like unto You, El. Another form of this is used in Exodus 15:11, from which we get the name MICHAEL, a contraction of MIKAMOCHA EL. Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob And unchanging love to Abraham, Which You swore to our forefathers From the days of old. (Micah 7:18-20 NAU) JOEL 2:15-27: TAQA/TEQIA (2:15) = denotes a long shofar blast used to gather Israel. (Teruah is the short blast as in Yom Teruah, Rosh Hashannah.)
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Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. Let the priests, the LORD'S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do

not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, 'Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:15-17 NAU) 4) Renewed Covenant portion (Haazinu): (English) is normally Romans 10:1421 but is suspended for Shabbat Shubah readings. Renewed Covenant Shabbat Shubah portion with Linguistic Commentary: Hebrews 4:1-8 (extemporaneous). 5) Renewed Covenant Shabbat Shubah portion with Linguistic Commentary: Hebrews 4:1-8 (extemporaneous).
AENT English 1 Let us fear, therefore, or else while there is a firm promise of entering into his rest, any among you should be found coming short of entering. AENT Aramaic 1

2 For to us also is the announcement,24 2 as well as to them: but the Word they heard did not benefit them because it was not combined with the faith of those who heard it. 3 But we who have believed do enter into rest. But as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath that they will not enter into my rest: for behold, the works of Elohim existed from the foundation of the world. 4 As he said of the Shabbat, Elohim rested on the seventh day from all his works. 5 And here again, he said, They will not enter into my rest. 6 Therefore, because there was a place 4 where one and another might enter; and those persons from the first to 5 6 3

whom the Good News was delivered did not enter, because they had no faith: 7 again he established another day, a that Dawid said, Today, if you will hear his voice, and do not harden your hearts. 8 For if Yehoshua,25 the son of Nun, had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards of another day. 8 7

long time afterwards; as above written,

24) The announcement being the Good News (Gospel); see Appendix Good News. 25) The name Joshua is derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua; the shortened form first appears in Nehemiah 8:17 as "Yeshua". Yehoshua did not usher in the Olam Haba "rest"; Yehoshua ben Nun is a "type" of Mashiyach ben David.

6) Highlight common themes in Aramaic (terms in footnotes which I will read): 7) Apply these themes/issues to modern issues in the Netzari faith. (So many works to show our faith and our love. Just look at all this Scripture we have to go through to even remotely do the sacred occasions justice!) 8) Relate to all or part of an Appendix portion of AENT or footnotes from a portion (They Repented Not, p. 974-977). Again, the unique time of year requires reflection as opposed to mere study. This is a time to assess ourselves in all our relationships, whether to YHWH or to humanity. Therefore this requires active participation with each other that abstract study does not allow. Use the time you would have for the Study Questions to carefully think about your good and bad deeds over the past year. The best study you could do is to seek forgiveness from those you may have wronged.

Torah Thought for the Week: The True Shabbat Worth Returning To

This Shabbat marks the Set-Apart weekly celebration between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur, or what the Rabbis call Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of Returning. SHUV is also where we get the Hebrew term for repentance, or TESHUVAH and this idea is vastly different from what is often taught (and sold) in Christianity. What Christianity offers is a magic pill or panacea. Now please dont get me wrong in the way that many on the other side of this issue most assuredly would if they were hearing this teaching: Yshua provides blood atonement for all of our PAST sins when we repent initially and put him as Master and Savior in our hearts. Somehow, the idea is twisted that ifheaven forbid---someone actually suggests there might be WORK involved to prove our repentance that such empties the cross of its power. Actually, all that idea shows is a faith emptied of power because said faith does not lead to doing His commandments (Revelation 22:14). So getting this idea straight in advance of the rest of this lesson is super important. Again, I say it plainly, there is no sin that Yshua cannot forgiveand blaspheming against the Ruach is not a sin which is repeatable today, and we have gone over why that is the case fairly recently. But this washing in the blood is far from the whole story. Yshua said, even in the later Christian-Greek traditions to the adulteress in John 8, Go and SIN NO MORE. Leaving aside the fact that the 4 earliest Greek manuscripts of John do not have this story and other issues within the account that, at best, are an oversimplification of Torah procedure in such a casewhere is the MAN also, since they caught her IN THE ACT of adultery or did she do this by herself?there is merit to this story and something to be learned in the Western preservation of it. The fact is, the woman was forgiven of PAST sins, so she could RETURN to a virtuous life that YHWH intended for her from the beginning. If she continues in sin, Yshua will not continue to forgive her unless there is more repentance on her part. But on the other hand, that doesnt mean that people can just say a magic spell called grace every time they are about to sleep with someone other than their spouse. So what? You take that exotic dancer home and put her in your bed but before taking her to yourself you say, Uh Lord, for what I am about to do Im real sorry and then just have at it? I dont think so. But that is exactly what grace means in many Christian circles. In other Christian circles, its ALMOST as bad, since you can just offer a quick apology AFTER you laid with that exotic dancer for the 50th time and get on with your day. Theres nothing like overcoming temptation just after you gave into it! Why not go on a diet right after youre done that hot fudge banana split sundae while youre at it? Or, better, REPENT of that sundae, order and eat another one and THEN repent.

Seriously though, TESHUVAH also means TURN AROUND, or go back to the right road as I suggested above. You must turn from sin, because, as Yshua points out in Yochanan 8 the following: And you will know the truth and that truth will set you free." They said to him, "We are the seed of Awraham and never has bondage92 to anyone been served by us. How do you say that you will be free men?" Y'shua said to them, "Amen, amen I say to you that anyone who commits sin is the servant of sin. (Yochanan 8:32-34-AENT) So right after you will know the truth and the truth will set you free Yshua goes on and EXPANDS what that truth is. If you are in active commission of sin, you are a SLAVE to sin. If that sin is your master you cannot serve TWO masters, that sin and YHWH. Therefore, you must get OUT of bondage from sin EVERY day, actively, turn from that sin whenever you can and repent SINCERELY where you fail. This brings us also to Yom Kippur which we are rapidly approaching. The 10 days between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur are called the Days of Awe. During this time YHWH is said to be evaluating who will live and who will die based on REPENTANCE! He knows if you are sincere or not and this is the time to SHOW Him. Yshua also was very much in line with their halacha (or they with his, since he probably said it first) that we must ask forgiveness of those we offended FIRST and try to be forgiven as much as possible, and then ask YHWH, or we will not be forgiven. But, lest anyone think the Rabbis get a free pass because they are really cool looking Yehudi so they MUST KNOW everything right? Hmmm, this seemed to come up in recent weeks. Heres my point on the Jewish side of the fence. Our efforts can only take us so far. Jews no longer follow the Tanakh proscribed methods of animal sacrifice and they dont accept the blood atonement of Yshua which super-ceded that either. So this leaves a lot of Jewry in a pickle. It is very fortunate then that YHWH is so gracious and patient because of or in spite of what is theologically convenient for them. And before the Christians cheer me on too much on this point remember: He still commands YOU to do Shabbat, the moedim and to remember His Name, so theres plenty of repentance to be had on both sides, thank you very much. And so, at the end of the day, both sides need Shabbat Shuva equally. BOTH need to rest in His love and BOTH need to sincerely use the opportunity to RETURN to path of righteousness He laid at our feet for ALL peoples 3500 years agoits called the Written Torah of Moshethe same Torah that our Savior literally died to keep! Im Andrew Gabriel Roth and thats your Torah Thought for the Week!

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