Text: Lev 19

             This week's torah portion "kedoshim," {Lev 19 & 20} opens with the Lord informing Moses to "speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them:'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." Lev 19:2

         Normally the Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron what the people, were commanded to do. Then Aaron would inform the elders of each tribes, on what the Almighty commanded of them. However here the Lord instructed Moses "to tell all the congregation of the children of Israel" himself. Why? Well within {Lev 19 & 20} the Ten Commandments, which are the basic essential of the Torah, are found, for example.

            The Lord instructed Moses to inform the people saying, "every one of you shall fear his mother and his father, and "keep My Sabbaths," I am the LORD your God." {Lev 19:3 } Hence the Lord had already issued this commandment, within the Ten Commandments. So why is He repeating it?

        While it is true the Lord commanded, us to "honor our father and your mother," within the Ten Commandments. {Ex 20:12} Note the different play on words here, in issuing the same commandment here. The mother is placed ahead the father. Why, and what can we gleam from this play on words?

        The Hebrew word for fear "yare," means "frighten or afraid." Why is this significant? Well quite often when a child misbehave, the father will discipline the child harshly. Whereas the mother will show the child, mercy. Therefore, it is only natural for the child to fear his father, more than his mother. Which explains the play on words here, for example.

            The Lord placed the mother ahead the father, in order to show. Given the fact that both our mother and father brought us into this world, they are due our equal respect. In turn the mother is due, the same respect, as the father..

            Though there was a third party, who played a significant role in bringing us into this world, and that is the Lord! Not only did the Lord create the heavens and the earth, He formed you and I in our mother's womb. {Jer 1:5 }  In light of this, out respect for the Almighty, the Lord commanded, us to keep the Sabbath holy. Why?

          Remember the Lord created the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day, He rested. In turn G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work {Gen 2:2 - 3 } So, does the Church gives the Lord, the respect that He asked for, and is due to Him?

         Well the forth commandment states, "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." Ex 20:8-11

         However I have heard several preachers state, in honor of Jesus, resurrection on the first day of the week, the Church meets on Sundays. Though if this was the case, Paul failed to get the memo, for example. Following Yeshua's death, Paul continued to observe the Sabbath, by keeping it holy. Acts 13:14 , 16:13, 17:2, 18:4

          With that said, about ten years ago within the Christian community, the following question started circulation, "what would Jesus do?" In light of this question, "just what would Yeshua {Jesus} do," would He observe the Sabbath, or would He ignore the commandment to observe the Sabbath, in favor of Sunday? Lets allow Yeshua to answer this question Himself.

        Yeshua said, "I have kept my Father's commandments," {John 15:10 } which included "observing the Sabbath and keeping it holy." In turn it shouldn't come as a surprise, Yeshua entered Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom. He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. {Luke 4:16 }

       In light of this, remember how the sages stated, that in delivering the instruction, to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. {Ex 35:1} Moses gave this instruction on the Sabbath? Why is this noteworthy?

        Well the Lord informed Moses, "I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him." {Deut 18:18 }

       This is significant, because like Moses, it was Yeshua's custom to go to the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and teach. {Mark 1:21 } Why Yeshua even alluded to Himself, "as the Lord of the Sabbath." {Luke 6:5 }

        No where in the scriptures does it states, the Lord changed the Sabbath, to a Sunday. Yet, the Church continues to not give the Father the respect that is due to Him, by ignoring His commandment, "to keep the Sabbath holy," in favor of keeping a practice, which was introduced by men, "the Catholic Church."

         Quite often a fool will oppose the Ten Commandments being posted in public, on the grounds that the Ten Commandments, are meaningless today, and win. Then the Church rightly becomes in rage, which is laughable in itself. Because the Church opposes the Lord's commandment, "to keep the Sabbath holy," which is imbedded within the Ten Commandments on the very same bases. Thus, once you ignore the Lord's commandment "to keep the Sabbath holy," you have destroyed the Ten Commandments. We live in a insane world!

             Moving on Moses then instructed the people saying, "do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God," {Lev 19:4 } which like the commandment to "keep the Sabbath holy," is imbedded within the Ten Commandments itself.

                             You shall have no other gods before Me. Ex 20:3

            So, with the stench of the sin of the golden calf, still reverberating in everyone's minds. The Lord instructed Moses to inform the people saying, "do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God."

         In light of this you maybe saying "but Wiley, we live in the twenty - first centaury and mankind has advanced beyond the point, where we don't worship idol gods anymore." Oh, have we have we now?

         Because an idol can be a person, or thing that is worship in place of G-d, for example. Have you ever witnessed a person, in washing their car. Kneel on their knees, and scrub the tires spotless? Only minutes later, the wet tires becomes cake with dirt, upon driving off. Seems harmless, doesn't it? Though, more than likely in this person's case, they have placed their car ahead of G-d, in turn their car is their god.

        On this note, I would be willing to bet, they can't bring themselves, to knee before the Lord and ask, for forgiveness. Though, they kneel and scrub their tires spotless. While it is their hearts that is need of cleansing, not their tires!

             Now no one loves sports, more than I do. As many of you know, I once was an assistant basketball, on the major college level. I mention this, because I have personally witnessed, number of people idolize sports. They will sit through, freezing rain and snow for four hours, in order to watch a football game. Yet they can't find time to honor the Lord! These individuals have made sports, their idol god.

         That said, one of the top rated shows on network TV, is "American Idol." After it's airs, quite often I hear people debating, who should have been voted off, and who will eventually win. You might ask, what is the harm?

           Well quite often participates on "American Idol," are idolize as idol god, and are worship as such. Yes, we live in the twenty - first centaury, but the more things change, the more things remind the same, in regards to idol worship.

        Then Moses instructed the people saying, "you shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor." Lev 19:15

         Briefly in a court of law, a judge is commanded to treat each litigants fairly, showing no partiality, rather they be poor or rich. Though there is another interpretation of this verse, and it states, that we must judge our fellow man favorably, always giving him the benefit of the doubt. The sages tells the following story, to make this point.

          Remember after David had committed adultery with Bath-sheba. The prophet Nathan came and told David, the following hypothetical story. The story went like this, there was a poor man, who had only one little ewe lamb, whom he treasured. Nevertheless the rich man, who had everything, his heart desired, came and took possession of the lamb, away from the poor man. Then Nathan asked for David for the king's ruling, concerning this matter?

        David in anger said, "as surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!" Nathan then responded by saying, "you are the man." 2 Sam 12:5 , 7

           It should be noted that David in rendering judgement abided the law, in that he did not show any partiality to the rich man. Though David himself was the rich man, whom he judged.

        Thus, Nathan proclaimed, David would be judged by the verdict that he rendered in this hypothetical story. In turn the very same sword that David proclaimed, drawn upon the guilty party, was drawn on David and his household instead. {2 Sam 12: 10 - 11} What can we gleam from this?

         According to the sages, there is a is a practical advantage for giving someone the benefit of doubt, in judging them. Because the way in which you judge someone, will be the way you will be judged in heaven. Which explains why Yeshua stated, "judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." {Luke 6:37}

       When someone wrongs us, we have a right to rebuke them then. Because G-d's word states, "you shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him." Lev 19:17

          In light of this, Yeshua was alluding to this commandment when He stated, "take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him," for example.

       Remember when Isaac bestowed the blessing on Jacob, Esau felt wronged, in spite of the fact that he sold "the birth right," to Jacob. Thus Esau hatred for Jacob grew so intense that he purposed to kill Jacob in his heart. Gen 27:41

        The point being, had Esau rebuked Jacob, likely his hatred for Jacob, would have subsided. But Esau kept his hatred for Jacob in his heart and it grew to the point, that he contemplated killing his brother.

         Then when Amnan rapped Tamar, Absalom neither said anything good or bad of Amnan. Though all of the time Abalsom like Esau, was plaining revenge by killing Amnan, his half brother. {2 Sam 13:22 }

Hebrew treasure: The Hebrew word for hated is "satam," which is eerily close to being spelled, like Satan. Implying that hatred is a byproduct of Satan's. In light of this, it should be noted that Satan has made an army of demons on this earth, who does nothing but deceive mortal men into thinking the Jewish people are evil. Hence, with this in mind, those who seek to make the Almighty a liar, must first make G-d's Covenant promise a lie. Although, as long as there is an Israel it is Satan, who is the proven a liar!

        Returning back to the following commandment, "you shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him." I find it interesting that Yeshua said, "you have heard it said, "that you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." {Matt 5:43 } Why? Well, Yeshua didn't come to do away with the law, {Matt 5:17 } because like Moses, He plainly taught it!

          Then Moses went on to say, "you shall not let your livestock breed with another kind. You shall not sow your field with mixed seed. Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you." Lev 19:19

        What this verse is implying, livestock be they cattle, or horses are not to be mix, along with plaint life. This law is about keeping certain things separate no mixing, whatsoever. The Hebrew word pertaining to this thought, is "kadosh," which means separation.

        Do you discern any thematically connection between this theme and the book of Leviticus? Well, the entire book of Leviticus was written to teach us, how to live "kadosh" or separate lives! In what book is of the torah, is the theme of "kadosh," separation is develop? Read {Gen 1 .} It's there where the theme of separation, is introduce, for example.

          The Lord separated the light from darkness, in {Gen 1:4 .} Then the Lord separated the firmaments from the water in {Gen 1:7 .} Then He separated the water from dry ground, in {Gen 1:10 .} Can you discern how, each step of creation is thematically linked with the theme of "kadosh" or separation?

       If so, then read Lev 19:19 again. How is the prohibition of not mating animals of different species of different kind, thematically related to the creation of living things in Gen 1 ?

        In Genesis 1 , the phrase "after its kind" is used over and over, with reference to created things, whether they are plants or animals. The emphasis is on the fact that the Lord made each species, separate and He wanted each to remain so and to produce only its own kind!

        This connection seems to emphasize the point that G-d is the creator, and that man dare not to improve on His wisdom in creation, by mixing species. This includes certain types of genetic engineering, and cloning.

          That said, where do we read of a mixture first occurring, that shouldn't have? It occurs in {Gen 3: 1 - 7,} when Eve mixed the truth with a lie by believing Satan, by not obeying G-d's commandment, to not partake of the tree of good and evil.

         Do you realize that only 25% of what Satan said to Eve was a lie, while 75% of it was the truth? The lie was, you shall not surely die. While the truth was, your eyes will be opened. You will be like God in knowing, good and evil. Hence Satan mixed the truth with a lie, in order to deceive Eve, and she bought it hook, line and sinker.

        Sadly preachers are still mixing the truth with a lie, by telling their congregations. The law was done away at the foot of the Cross. Consequently we live in a world, where genetic engineering, and cloning are common occurrence. Not to mention homosexuality, which the Lord expressly condones within the law. {Lev 20:13 } Though, I forget the law was done away with!

         Remember how the Lord prohibited the mixing of the species, rather they be humans, animals, or plaints. Well, in the days of Noah, prior to the flood. The sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. Gen 6:2

         It is a widely held view that "the sons of G-d," alludes to fallen angels. Angels who elected to forego, their first estate, {Jude 6 } and sided with Satan. So what we have here, are fallen angels mixing with women.

        Setting this aside, for just a moment. My father and grandfather each owned a mule, in which they plowed their gardens with. I mention this because a mule is half horse and half donkey, and it is a well temperament animal, study a foot and very strong. Though for all of the mule's good qualitites, there is something amiss about a mule. A mule isn't the Lord's creation, in turn a mule can not reproduce.

             On this note, remember how the media made a big deal out of the sheep that was first cloned, a number of years ago. They acclaimed it as a break through, in creating life. However as it turned out, like the mule, there is something amiss about a clone animal. In that a cloned animal's life span, is very sort. What can we gleam from this?

       While man may come close to and in some cases, create life. The Lord is the created of life, not man. Because the Lord is the only one, who can create life successfully. When man attempt to, always something goes afoul. So what was the downside, in the fallen angels mixing with women?

         The Hebrew word for wickedness "ra," means "evil." I mention this because the offsprings of the demons, inherited their fathers traits, in that they were "evil." Hence as a result of mixing with "evil," every thought of man's were "evil continuously."

            " Evil will destroy the wicked." I mention this fact, because upon seeing this evil, the Lord repented that He made man and placed him on earth. The Almighty was grieved so in His heart that He said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." Gen 6: 6 - 7

        It should be pointed out, when Adam fell in the garden, mankind inherited a sinful nature. However in mixing with evil, the sins of man's were multiplied. Hence man thoughts were "evil" continuously. Though, Noah found grace, in the eyes of the Lord, and was saved. Gen 6:8

          That said, remember Yeshua in depicting the days, prior to His coming stated, "in the days of Noah , so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man." {Luke 17:26 } Why is this significant?

          Remember when the Lord created man, and the animals, along with the plaint life. He set them apart, "kadosh" separate to themselves. Well, I have briefly depicted to you, how man has altered the Lord's creation by mixing with "evil," prior to the flood. In turn the Lord elected to destroy the evilness, that was sawn into mankind's seed.

       All of this is significant, because mankind is once again, altering the Lord's creation. It started seemingly harmless in the early and mid 1800's, with the mixing of horses with donkeys. In order to get a better pack animal, {mule} to plow with. Though today, man is attempting to alter all of the Lord's creation, through genetic engineering, of plaints and animals. Not to mention, the attempted cloning of humans.

         In turn I know the Lord is greave, because these "evil" actions, grieved Him before. That said, "the wheels of judgement often turn slow." Thus, deceiving individuals into thinking, they are getting away with their evil action. Though, while the wheels of judgement may appear not to be turning at all, at times. You can rest assured, they are! In turn my only question is, when will the Almighty look on man's wickedness and say, "you have ignored and stomped on My commandments enough, it is finish!"

       May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26

               He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. Ps 62:2