Torah Commentary Archives


Emor (Speak)

Leviticus 21:1-24:23

Ezekiel 44:15-31

Matthew 5:38-42

Galatians 3:26-29


The Little Things


The Book of Leviticus is mainly devoted to the subject of what is clean and unclean. Simply put, we should strive to live our lives pursuing what Yah calls clean and stay far away from what He calls unclean. In doing so, we can live a life of blessing in closeness to Him and reveal His character to others.


In this Torah portion His name, YH VH, is used 81 times. It is interesting this Torah portion gives us the summary of instructions for His Feasts. Are our observances of His Feasts evoking the character of His name?


Also in this portion we find the word profane used 12 times. Webster dictionary defines the word profane as “irreverence for that which is sacred.” Strong's has many definitions, one of which is to “make common.” Just how set apart is His name in our lives, or is it a common thing?


Could we tie this all together by considering how we view His Feasts in relationship to how we view Him?


For many of us, trees and eggs are distant memories. We can pat ourselves on the back since we no longer take part in those “unclean things.” Is it possible for us to begin to do the right thing for the wrong reason? In doing so will we be just as unclean as we were before?


We are currently in the midst of the Counting of the Omer. Though we do not have a place in Jerusalem to take an offering to or do our daily counting, Scripture still tells us to count. How we do so may be as simple as acknowledging a number or adding daily Scripture readings and prayer. Question is, “How important is the counting to us?” Is it something we are looking forward to every day or something that a few days go by and we realize we have forgotten? Do we have to look up which day it is? Are we allowing the counting to become common?


You may be saying “It is just counting. It is not that important.” Take a look at Luke 16:10 CJB, “Someone who is trustworthy in a small matter is also trustworthy in large ones, and someone who is dishonest in a small matter is also dishonest in large ones.” Now consider your thoughts again.


Years ago I was a listing agent for a builder in Alaska. I'll never forget a statement he made to me. He said, “If I watch my pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves. In this statement lies a concept we can apply to our pursuance of Torah.


It is easy for people to put on a show at the “Big Feast” with full participation, but where are they for the weekly Shabbat service or Bible study? Our character is based on the big and little things of Yah. Can we in fact even profane the “Big Feasts” if we are not being faithful to the “Little things?” These are probing questions which we should stop to consider.


Toward the end of this week's Torah is an account of a man who utters YH VH in a curse. The account paints an interesting picture for us. First, the word uttered or blasphemed is the Hebrew word naqab which means to pierce or bore. His mother's name was Shlomit (peaceful), the daughter of Debri (my word), of the tribe of Dan (judge). Do you see the picture? Imagine an old time scale, which is one of the insignia for Dan. On both sides of the scale are placed the name YH VH. This is actually a picture of His name; judgment and mercy in perfect balance. You and I are the ones who tip the scale in one direction or another by how we treat His Name. We have the ability to tip the scale and bring forth mercy and shalom from His name or we pierce His name and bring the curse of judgment.


Notice one last tidbit regarding the man who pierced the Name.  Not only is this man put to death, but his name is not mentioned. He pierced the name of YH VH and his own name was wiped away from the books of history.


Selah (Stop and consider that thought in light of eternity.)