Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] You can't claim to be set apart if nothing about your life stands out. Because from the very beginning, God's people were meant to be different. Visibly, intentionally, and unmistakably. And in the Torah portion of Immorah, that difference is sharpened. So what happens when Gentiles are brought near through Yeshua? If we're not called to the same role, are we still called to the same kind of distinction? And if so, what does that actually look like? Let's take a look at one particular example in this week's 5 Minute Torah Foreign.
[00:00:34] Shalom and Blessings from Shalom Makin, the place where disciples of Yeshua learn, connect, and grow. I'm Darren, and before I get into the five minutes of my Five Minute Torah commentary, let's cover a few quick facts about this week's Torah portion. This week we are studying the 31st portion of the Torah and the eighth portion of the Book of Leviticus. We are in the portion of Amor Leviticus 21:1, 24, 23 and here are the three things that you need to know about it. Number one extreme holiness the life of a Kohen the Torah portion and more places a strong emphasis on priestly holiness, laying out specific regulations the kohanim must follow to maintain ritual purity and remain fit for service in the Mishkan, or tabernacle, and later on the Temple. These laws touch both physical and ritual aspects, reinforcing the priest's unique role as an intermediary between God and Israel. Priests are prohibited from contact with the dead they created, except for their closest relatives. To avoid this ritual impurity, their marital choices are also restricted, limited to women who meet specific standards of purity. And additionally, priests with physical deformities are excluded from performing certain sacred duties, though they still partake in the priestly portions. These requirements highlight a broader theme, holiness through separation. Those who serve in God's presence are called to reflect his holiness in a visible, tangible way and before the entire community. Number two Blasphemy and its Severe Consequences in this Torah portion, we address the seriousness of blasphemy through a specific and sobering incident. A man, the son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian father, curses the name of God during a dispute. He is brought before Moses, and God commands that the entire community carry out his punishment, death by stoning. The severity of this response underscores the sanctity of God's name and the weight our words carry. This this isn't just one moment. It establishes a principle. God's name is not to be treated casually or dishonored the passage serves as a stark reminder that reverence isn't optional. The way we speak reflects what we truly believe about who God is and number three Festivals the Go to Chapter if you're looking for the biblical festivals, Leviticus 23 is the address. This chapter lays out the sacred calendar, beginning with the weekly Sabbath, a constant reminder of creation and a call to cease from our own lab.
[00:03:01] From there it moves through the annual cycle Pesach marking the exodus from Egypt, Shavuot commemorating the giving of the Torah, and Sukkot recalling the wilderness journey. It also includes the fall appointed times, Yom Teruah we also know as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the sacred assemblies connected to them. Each festival carries its own rhythm, specific offerings, set times, and unique prohibitions. Together they form a framework that sanctifies time itself, shaping the life of God's people around remembrance, worship, and intentional ceasing. Are you a disciple of Yeshua? Many people say they are, but few truly understand what discipleship really means. Why? Because discipleship is a distinctly Jewish concept, an intimate relationship between a rabbi and his student. Yeshua called 12 men into that kind of discipleship, and those 12 changed the world. So? So what do they understand about discipleship that we often miss? And how can we make better disciples if we've never truly been one ourselves? Those questions led me to write my book the Four Responsibilities of a Disciple. While many books focus on how to make disciples, I wanted to understand what it means to be a disciple because too many disciples today aren't transforming the world the way they should. What I discovered was that every disciple carries four essential responsibilities, and when these are lived out, they can truly change the world. If you want to know what it means to be a real disciple of our Master Yeshua, check out the Four Responsibilities of a Disciple using the link below. This week's Torah commentary is called Distinct and Set Apart, and comes from my book, Five Minute Torah, Volume 1. The Torah portion of Amor begins with last week's Torah portion, Ketoshim, left off in its description of holiness and how Israel is to be a set apart and distinct people, and more continues this theme of distinction by describing how the kohanim, or the priests, had various restrictions and parameters that were even greater than the children of Israel in general. For instance, while it was common for an Israelite to become unclean, keep in mind that being unclean in most cases had absolutely nothing to do with sin. A Cohen was not permitted to become unclean through being in the presence of a corpse. In almost every instance, the kohen gadol, or the high priest, was restricted even further than his priestly brethren to show his distinct position of service among them. Whereas the children of Israel were to be distinct among the peoples of the earth, the kohanim were to be distinct among the children of Israel, and then the kohen gedul was to be distinct among the kohanim. Another way this Torah portion enjoins Israel to be distinct is in their demarcation of time. Chapter 23 of Leviticus spells out the calendar that the people of God are to live by. It begins with God's instructions to his people.
[00:05:45] These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations. They are my appointed feasts. Leviticus 23:2 how does a calendar point to holiness? We have to remember that although our English translations designate these times as appointed feasts, this is not how it reads in the original Hebrew. It says they are moedei hashem, or the appointed times of the Lord. What is an appointed time? It is a time that is set aside to meet with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It's a time that he has chosen to meet with his people, and therefore we should make those times a priority. After all, he calls them my appointed times. If they're important to him, then they should be equally important to his people. The first holy day it sets apart in this chapter is the weekly Sabbath. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places. Leviticus 23:2. From there it lists the other festivals and the details of their observance. Each of these times is described with details on how to make them distinct and set apart from the other days of the year. There are to be special times where we come into the presence of the King of the universe to worship him and to receive revelation from him. Like the Torah portion of Kedashim, the Torah portion of Amor emphasizes the importance of distinction of the people of God from those of the nations. It's our job to be different from the world in what we do, what we wear, what we eat, how we speak, and even what we do on certain days to make them distinct from all others. We are to be a holy people through the keeping of his commandments, as he reminds us in this week's Torah portion. So you shall keep my commandments and do them I am the Lord, and you shall not profane my holy name that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 22 verses 3133 don't be afraid to stand out and be different. Be distinct and set apart for the purposes of the Father in this world. Well, if you have children who enjoy learning Torah in a fun, engaging way, we've created a space just for them. Our Rabbi Shmilly Socks videos now have a brand new home on the Shalom Macon Kids YouTube channel. A place filled with kid friendly tour teaching designed to help them learn, connect and grow. Be sure to head on over, subscribe and turn on notifications so that they don't miss a single episode of Socks on your table. And as always, thank you for making Shalom Makin part of your home. You can check out the new channel right here.
