Week 100

• Torah (T): Bemidbar (Numbers) 4:17-20
• Prophets (P): 1 Samuel 6:10-16
• Apostolic (A): Hebrews 9:23-28
• Additional (ADD): Sirach 16:1-13

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Numbers 4:1-16 (T)
• Numbers 16:28-40 (T)
• Numbers 17:10 – 18:7 (T)
• Exodus 19:9-25 (T)
• Leviticus 10:1-3 (T)
• 2 Samuel 6:1-23 (T)
• Hebrews 10:11-39 (T)
• Hebrews 12:22-29 (T)
• Revelation 11:15-19 (T)
• Numbers 4:17-20 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

“In the triennial cycle of Torah readings, this section is the shortest (Week 100). A mere four verses in the modem text. Why such a short portion was prescribed for a Shabbat reading is not certain. We read in the Mishnah: ‘He who reads in the Torah should read no fewer than three verses’ (Meg 4.4). According to Mann-Sonne (The Bible as Read and Preached in the Old Synagogue), when a parashah was too short to accommodate all of the readers, it was either repeated, or sections from the adjoining parashot were added. But the fact that our present section maintained its listing in the triennial cycle indicates that it was originally determined as a distinct parashah. The Leningrad codex (which forms the basis for our current copies of the Masoretic text) marks this section with the customary samech (ס) as well. Why would the Sages of ancient times have marked these as a distinct parashah? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that here the distinction between the Levitical and Aaronic priesthood is made clear, and it is a matter of life and death. The sons of Aaron are to act in such a way as not to cut off the family of Qohath from the descendants of Levi. How are they to assure the maintenance of the Qohath family? By carefully helping them by assigning their tasks, and by covering the holy objects so that they would not gaze upon them and be struck dead by the Almighty.” Tim Hegg, Torah Resource Center

Torah Portion (T)

4:17 YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 18 “Don’t cut the staff of the families of the Qohathites from among the Levites; 19 but do this to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach the holy of holies: Aaron and his sons will go in and place everyone to his service and to his burden; 20 but they will not go in to see the holy, [like the swallowing],^(MTT) lest they die.”

Prophets Portion (P)

6:10 The men did so, and took two milk cows and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. 11 They put the ark of YHWH on the cart, and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors. 12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh. They went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. 13 The people of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone. Then they split the wood of the cart and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to YHWH. 15 The Levites took down the ark of YHWH and the box that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone; and the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and slaughtered slaughters the same day to YHWH. 16 When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

Apostolic Portion (A)

9:23 It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better slaughters than these. 24 For Messiah hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into the heavens itself, now to appear in the face of Elohim for us; 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, 26 or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the slaughter of himself. 27 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28 so Messiah also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Additional Portion (ADD)

Sirach, or Wisdom of Sirach, and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (abbreviated Ecclus.) or Ben Sira, is a work of ethical teachings, from approximately 200 to 175 B.C., written by the Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem, on the inspiration of his father Joshua son of Sirach, sometimes called Jesus son of Sirach or Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira. The Sirach was almost completely uncovered in Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls, at Masada, and the Cairo Geniza. The multiplicity of manuscript fragments uncovered in the Cairo Genizah evidence its authoritative status among Egyptian Jewry until the Middle Ages. Quotes from Sirach can be found in Rabbinic literature in multiple places  including the Talmud in Bava Kamma 92b:13 and Hagigah 13a:2. Additionally, the Gospels and other Apostolic Scriptures quote from the Book of Sirach including the Song of Miriam in Luke 1:52 (cf. Sirach 10:14); the description of the seed in Mark 4:5, 16–17 (cf. Sirach 40:15); the statement by Yeshua in Matthew 7:16,20 (cf. Sirach 27:6); and Ya’aqov (James) 1:19 (cf. Sirach 5:11).

16:1 Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in impious sons. 2 If they multiply, don’t delight in them unless the fear of the Lord is in them. 3 Don’t trust in their life. Don’t rely on their condition: for one is better than a thousand, and to die childless than to have impious children. 4 For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated, but a race of wicked men will be made desolate. 5 I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these. 6 In the congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled. 7 He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, who revolted in their strength. 8 He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors, whom he abhorred for their pride. 9 He didn’t pity the people of perdition who were taken away in their sins, 10 or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. 11 Even if there is one stiff-necked person, it is a marvel if he will be unpunished, for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath. 12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also. He judges a man according to his works. 13 The sinner will not escape with plunder. The perseverance of the pious will not be frustrated.

Related Scriptures

4:1 YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “Lift up the head the sons of Qohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, 3 from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service to do the work in the Appointed Tent 4 This is the service of the sons of Qohath in the Appointed Tent, regarding the holy of holies. 5 When the camp moves forward, Aaron will go in with his sons; and they will take down the veil of the screen, cover the ark of the Witness with it, 6 put a covering of [deer]^(MTT) skin on it, spread a blue cloth over it, and put in [the poles].^(LXX) 7 On the table of the bread of the presence they will spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out [with them];^(LXX) and the continual bread will be on it. 8 They will spread on them a scarlet cloth, and cover it with a covering of [deer] skin, and will put in [the poles].^(LXX) 9 “They will take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand of the light, its lamps, its snuffers, its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it. 10 They will put it and all its vessels within a covering of [deer] skin, and will put it on the frame. 11 “On the golden altar they will spread [cloths of blue],^(LXX) and cover it with a covering of [deer] skin, and will put in its poles. 12 “They will take all the vessels of service with which they minister in the holy, and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of [deer] skin, and will put them on the frame. 13 “They will take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth on it. 14 They will put on it all its vessels with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins—all the vessels of the altar; and they will spread on it a covering of [deer] skin, and put in its poles. 15 “When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy and all the furniture of the holy, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Qohath will come to carry it; but they will not touch the holy, lest they die. The sons of Qohath will carry these things belonging to the Appointed Tent. 16 “The watch duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest will be the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the continual grain offering, and the anointing oil, the watch duty of all the tabernacle, and of all that is in it, the holy, and its furnishings.”

16:28 Moses said, “Hereby you will know that YHWH has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind. 29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they experience what all men experience, then YHWH hasn’t sent me. 30 But if YHWH makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have despised YHWH.” 31 As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split apart. 32 The land opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Qorach’s men, and all their goods. 33 So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The land closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 All Israel that were around them fled at their cry; for they said, “Lest the land swallow us up!” 35 Fire came out from YHWH, and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense. 36 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 37 “Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter the fire away from the camp; for they are holy, 38 even the censers of those who sinned against their own lives. Let them be beaten into plates for a covering of the altar, for they offered them before YHWH. Therefore they are holy. They will be a sign to the sons of Israel.” 39 Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which those who were burned had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar, 40 to be a memorial to the sons of Israel, to the end that no stranger who isn’t of the seed of Aaron, would come near to burn incense before YHWH, that he not be as Qorach and as his company; as YHWH spoke to him by Moses.

17:10 YHWH said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept for a token against the sons of rebellion; that you may make an end of their complaining against me, that they not die.” 11 Moses did so. As YHWH commanded him, so he did. 12 The sons of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, we perish! We are undone! We are all undone! 13 All the ones inside, the ones inside YHWH’s dwelling, will die. Is it that the whole of us are to expire? 18:1 YHWH said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your fathers’ house with you will bear the iniquity of the holy; and you and your sons with you will bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2 Bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, near with you, that they may be joined to you, and minister to you; but you and your sons with you will be to the face of the Tent of the Witness. 3 They will guard your watch duty and the watch duty of the whole Tent; only they will not come near to the vessels of the holy and to the altar, that they not die, neither they nor you. 4 They will be joined to you and guard the watch duty of the Appointed Tent, for all the service of the Tent. A stranger will not come near to you. 5 You will guard the watch duty of the holy and the duty of the altar, that there be no more wrath on the sons of Israel. 6 Behold, I myself have taken your brothers the Levites from among the sons of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to YHWH, to serve the service of the Appointed Tent. 7 You and your sons with you will guard your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil. You will serve. I give you the service of the priesthood as a gift. The stranger who comes near will be put to death.”

19:9 YHWH said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to YHWH. 10 YHWH said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready for the third day; for on the third day YHWH will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12 You will set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain will be surely put to death. 13 No hand will touch him, but he will surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he will not live.’ When the [yovel] sounds long, they will come up to the mountain.” 14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.” 16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud shophar; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet Elohim; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because [Elohim]^(LXX) descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the voice of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and [the elohim]^(MTT) answered him by a voice. 20 YHWH came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. YHWH called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 [Elohim]^(LXX) said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to [Elohim]^(LXX) to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests also, who come near to [Elohim],^(LXX) sanctify themselves, lest YHWH break out on them.” 23 Moses said to [Elohim],^(LXX) “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’ ” 24 YHWH said to him, “Go down! You will bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to [Elohim],^(LXX) lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people, and told them.

10:1 Nadab and Abihu, the [two]^(DSS)(LXX) sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered [foreign]^(LXX) fire before YHWH, which [YHWH]^(LXX)(DSS) had not commanded them. 2 Fire came out from before YHWH, and devoured them, and they died before YHWH. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what YHWH spoke of, saying, ‘I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” Aaron held his peace.

6:1 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah, to bring up from there Elohim’s ark, which is called by the Name, the name of YHWH of Armies who sits above the keruvim. 3 They set Elohim’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 They brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with Elohim’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel played before YHWH with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals. 6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for Elohim’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled. 7 the anger of YHWH burned against Uzzah, and Elohim struck him there for his error; and he died there by Elohim’s ark. 8 David was displeased because YHWH had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9 David was afraid of YHWH that day; and he said, “How could the ark of YHWH come to me?” 10 So David would not move the ark of YHWH to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. 11 the ark of YHWH remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three new moons; and YHWH blessed Obed-Edom and all his house. 12 King David was told, “YHWH has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of Elohim’s ark.” So David went and brought up Elohim’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy. 13 When those who bore the ark of YHWH had gone six paces, he slaughtered an ox and a fattened calf. 14 David danced before YHWH with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of YHWH with shouting and with the voice of the shofar. 16 As the ark of YHWH came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Shaul looked out through the window and saw king David leaping and dancing before YHWH; and she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought in the ark of YHWH, and set it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before YHWH. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of YHWH of Armies. 19 He gave to all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house. 20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Shaul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 David said to Michal, “It was before YHWH, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of YHWH, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before YHWH. 22 I will be yet more undignified than this, and will be worthless in my own sight. But the maids of whom you have spoken will honor me.” 23 Michal the daughter of Shaul had no child to the day of her death.

10:11 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and offering often the same slaughters, which can never take away sins, 12 but he, when he had offered one slaughter for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of Elohim, 13 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,” says YHWH, “I will put my Torah on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;” then he says, 17 “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” 18 Now where forgiveness of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Yeshua, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, 21 and having a great priest over Elohim’s house, 22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. 24 Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a slaughter for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. 28 A man who disregards the Torah of Moses dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim. 32 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions, and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. 35 Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of Elohim, you may receive the promise. 37 “In a very little while, he who comes will come and will not wait. 38 But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the procurement of the soul.

12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living Elohim, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels, 23 to the festal gathering and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in the heavens, to Elohim the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Yeshua, the mediator of a renewed covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. 25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the land, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from the heavens, 26 whose voice shook the land then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the land, but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more” signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, receiving a Reign that can’t be shaken, let’s have grace, through which we serve Elohim acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our Elohim is a consuming fire.

11:15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in the heavens followed, saying, “The reign of the world has become the Reign of our Lord and of his Messiah. He will reign forever and ever!” 16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before Elohim’s throne, fell on their faces and did bow down to Elohim, 17 saying: “We give you thanks, Lord Elohim, the Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your servants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the holy ones and those who fear your name, to the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the land.” 19 Elohim’s temple that is in the heavens was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed

Related Additional Readings​

Numbers 4:17-20 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)

Composed in Talmudic Israel (c.150 – c.250 AD). Targum Pseudo-Jonathan is a western targum (translation) of the Torah (Pentateuch) from the land of Israel (as opposed to the eastern Babylonian Targum Onkelos). Its correct title was originally Targum Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Targum), which is how it was known in medieval times. But because of a printer’s mistake it was later labeled Targum Jonathan, in reference to Jonathan ben Uzziel. Some editions of the Pentateuch continue to call it Targum Jonathan to this day. Most scholars refer to the text as Targum Pseudo-Jonathan. This targum is more than a mere translation. It includes much Aggadic material collected from various sources as late as the Midrash Rabbah as well as earlier material from the Talmud. It is effectively a combination of a commentary and a translation. In the portions where it is pure translation, it often agrees with the Targum Onkelos. The date of its composition is disputed. It cannot have been completed before the Arabic conquest as it refers to Mohammad’s wife Fatimah, but might have been initially composed in the 4th Century AD. However, some scholars date it in the 14th Century.

And the Lord spake with Mosheh, saying: Thou shalt not give occasion for the tribe of the family of Kehath to perish among the Levites. But this appointment make thou for them, that they may live the life of the just, and die not by the flaming fire; they will turn away their eyes from the Holy of Holies at the time they approach thither. Aharon and his sons will enter, and appoint them man by man to his service and his burden. But they will not go in to gaze, when the priests go in to cover the vessels of the sanctuary, that they die not by the flaming fire. [JERUSALEM. And the Levites will not go in to gaze when the priests cover the vessels of the holy house, lest they die.]