WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING
Torah Portion: Parashat Bamidbar ("in the desert")
Shabbat: May 20, 2023 / Iyyar 29, 5783
Torah: Num. 1:1-4:20
Prophets: Hosea 2:1-23; 1 Sam. 20:18-42
New Covenant: Rom. 9:22-33; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11
TODAY’S PRAYER OF AGREEMENT
The Shema
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength”. Deut. 6:4-5
We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us. First, we will start reading the fourth book of the Torah, namely Sefer Bamidbar (ספר במדבר), or the "Book of Numbers." Second, Mem B'Omer, or the 40th day of the countdown to Shavuot (Pentecost), marks the date of the ascension of Yeshua (May 15th this year), and third, we honor Yom Yerushalayim ("Jerusalem Day)" that celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in June 1967 (May 18th this year). In addition, the month of Sivan begins Saturday, May 20th at sundown, which heralds the conclusion of the 49 day countdown from the day following Passover (see Lev. 23:15-16). The first five days of the month of Sivan anticipate the day the Torah was given to Israel at Sinai, namely, the sixth of Sivan, which marks exactly seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. So I hope to share some things related to both the Torah portion for this week, the significance of Jerusalem to us as followers of Yeshua, as well as the holiday of Shavuot (i.e., "Pentecost"), which begins in one week (i.e., Thursday, May 25th after sundown). May the LORD show us grace as we study his Torah and to review the significance of the Torah written upon our hearts in the Messiah (Jer. 31:31, Heb. 10:16, Jer. 32:40). Amen. Upcoming Holiday Dates:
Mem B'Omer - Mon. May 15th at sundown (and the following day)
Yom Yerushalayim - Thurs. May 18th at sundown (and the following day)
Shabbat Bamidbar - Fri. May 19th at sundown (and the following day)
Chodesh Sivan - Sat. May 20th at sundown (and the following day)
Shavuot ("Weeks," or "Pentecost") - Thurs. May 25th at sundown - Sat. May 27th
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