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Hidden Truth ©

Bereisheit 33.1 - 20

Our Devri Limood is in the loving memory of Mr. Yochanan Bond, Mr. Stephen Reynolds

and Mr. T.J. and Mrs. Olive Norman may they rest in peace.

wyn...y[e bq[æyæ ac;yIwæ

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Bereisheit 33.1-3

The relationships between relatives is often tested.  In our Devri Torah Limood this week we see the test between Eisov and Yaakov, brothers, twins coming head on.  All relationships experience tests. This comes pretty naturally.  Brothers test brothers.  Sisters test sisters.  Children test parents. Husbands test there wives and wives test there husbands. No special tests are required. Situations that arise from out of no where test us.  

We could go on and on...  The facts are we all face tests and need to prepare in advance for them.

In this weeks Limood  this is what we see Yaakov doing.  Yaakov saw the test coming. It was Eisov, his brother, and 400 men.  Yaakov made plans to face the test. UNFORTUNATELY not all tests that come our way are as easily identified a Eisov and 400 men coming right towards us.  Tests creep into our lives without us paying a great deal of attention to them.  Then all of the sudden they are upon us.  They have us in their grip.  We are surprised!  We are shocked!

Yaakov knew why this test was coming his way.  Yaakov lied to his father.  Yaakov deceived his father. Now, we understand why Yaakov lied and deceived his father.  It was for a very good reason.  However Eisov did not share this position.

We know that there were extenuating circumstances:

• G-d Told Rivkah through the Novie, Shem that the older son, Eisov, would serve the younger son, Yaakov.  

• We know that Yaakov purchased Eisov's birthright after he returned from murder and rape on the day of his grandfather, Avraham's death.

• We also know that Rivkah, the mother of Eisov and Yaakov instructed Yaakov to follow her plan.  Yaakov did as he was instructed by his mother.

• We know that Rivkah participated in the deception of her husband

• We also know that it would have been disastrous if Yitzchok had given the blessing of the firstborn to Eisov...

Yet, all of this did not change the facts.  Eisov was angry because he felt he had been wrongly dealt with by Yaakov.  Eisov felt that Yaakov deceived him twice.

Now, sometimes situations happen and we do not know all the facts and we are tempted to make a judgment on just the information we have..  Many religious groups judge Yaakov to be a deceiver.  They are looking only at Eisov's account of what happened. We should be careful in judging areas like this.

We who live in 5769 F.C. have the advantage of knowing the entire story as our Creator Related it to Moshe on Har Sinai.  Yet, when this story happened in 2172 F.C. only pieces of the story were known. Hundreds of years later the truth of what happened was revealed.

We do not read anywhere in Ha Torah of Rivkah stating her involvement of what transpired to Yitzchok or Eisov.  We do not read anywhere in Ha Torah of Yaakov defending himself against Eisov's allegations of lying and deceiving.  We do not read of Yaakov blaming his mother etc. The information that the Creator wanted us to have was revealed centuries later.

Many years ago after I returned to Judaism my mother spoke with me.  She queried, Akiva do you remember the time your father phoned and left a horrible message saying something to the effect that you needed to fall down on your knees and cry out to Jesus for forgiveness...? That you were raised better....? That you were taught the truth...?  That there was no excuse for you leaving christianity and returning to Judaism...?  Then your father said something like he would have nothing to do with you until you were cleansed by the blood of Jesus etc.  Then Momma said I got on the phone and made a comments to the effect that I agreed with your father.  By this point in the conversation Momma was crying.  Momma said, Akiva your father made me say those words.  I did not want to say them.  I did not agree with him.  Will you forgive me?

I responded, Yes!  I understood all along that my mother never meant a word of what she was forced to say that day.  Yet this was not confirmed until years later.

A few years back during the Atlanta Olympics there was a bombing.  Richard Jewell was wrongly accused.  He was arrested and charge with a crime he was later proved to be innocent of.  At first the media was running wild with this story. Richard Jewell was convicted of this crime in the minds of many Americans before his day in court.  We were all so to speak sweep off our feet by this story.  We were pulled into the media hype without knowing the facts.

Many men who were tried and convicted of crimes they were innocent of have later been found innocent.  Why?  DNA!  all the truth was not known...

Only parts of the truth were know when Yaakov meets his brother Eisov after 20 years of separation...  Yaakov knowing the truth bravely prepares to meet his brother.

May Hashem Bless each of us with patience when the times of test rise to be careful in our thoughts and deliberations.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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Is Deception OK? Is Lying OK? © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 27.1 - 46

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Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Dale Kettles, Mr. Tim Cox, Mr. John Rockwell, Mr. Von Rockwell,  Mr. Winton Ingram and Mrs Mary Ingram and may they rest in peace.   May they be elevated in the HaShamayim.

Dear ones, our discussion in Bereisheit 27 is about was it acceptable for Rivkah, the wife of Yitzchok to instruct her son to deceive and to lie to his father, Yitzchok?  Was it  acceptable for Yaakov to take Eisov blessing of the first born?

The answer to both is YES!!

Gen. 27:35

.Út≤âk;r"Bi jQ"¡YIw" hm...-r"miB] Úyji`a; aB...à rm,aOYØw"  

And [Eisov] said My brother has come with deception and taken my Blessing.

Exod. 28:3

ble+Aymek]j'AlK;Ala, r~Bed"T] hT;%a'w"  

hm...-k]j; j"Wr§ wyti`aLemi rv≤àa} 

.yliâA/nh}k'l] /v¡D"q"l] ˆroÿh}a' ydEég"BiAta, Wc|[;w"

[Hashem Said]... And you will speak to all the wise of heart that I Have Invested with the spirit of wisdom and they will make everything from Aleph to Tav of garments for Aharon, to sanctify him to be a Kohen to Me.

The Word hm;r"miB] Bih Mee Rih Mah, means; deceived, mislead, tricked, duped.  hm;r"miB] Bih Mee Rih Mah does not mean to steal or to lie... IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS!  The Gematria of  hm;r"miB] Bih Mee Rih Mah is 287.  hm...-k]j; j"Wr§ Ruach Chaw Chih Maw, meaning the spirit of wisdom is also the Gematria of 287.  What do we Observe?  We Observe through the spirit of wisdom that it is acceptable to be deceptive at certain times of life.  If Eisov would have received his father's Bracha it would have change the course for the entire world.  The deception of Rivkah and Yaakov saved the world.  This is why later the Creator Changes Yaakov's name to Yisrael in Bereisheit 32.27; 35.10. The Creator Wanted Yisroel's name to have His Name at the conclusion. The Creator Wanted to Testify of Yaakov's honesty and straightness.

287 = h5 m40 r200 m40 b2

287 = h5 m40 k20 j8  j8 w6 r200

rv,y≤ Yeh Shehr meaning to be straight forward, righteous, [in ] alignment with lae Ayl [El] meaning G-d.

We also notice in the Atbash of the Word hm;r"miB] Bih Mee Rih Mah the Heavenly meaning.  When we reverse the Letters of hm;r"miB] Bih Mee Rih Mah they spell gyci Seeg, meaning to need, occupation, [a]x;y: Yaw Tzaw, meaning to to come out, to emerge, to expire, to fall to leave...  So the At bash of  hm;r"miB] Bih Mee Rih Mah is [a]x;y:  gyci Seeg - Yaw Tzaw, meaning to need to expire or to fall.  In other words it was necessary for the Bracha of Yitzchok to fall Eisov so Yaakov would receive it.

b  =  c

m  =  y

r  =  g

m  =  y

h  =  x

When we review the Words,

Gen. 27:36

bqo%[}y" /m⁄v] ar:Ÿq: y°kih} rm,aOYflw"  

 µyIm'+[}p' hz<∞ yŸnIbe~q"[]Y"w"ô

i jq:+l; yti¢r:koB]Ata,

yti-k;r"B jq"∞l; hT...`[' hNEèhiw"

 .hk...âr:B] yLi` T;l]xæàa;AaOlh} rm'ÈaOYw"

And he[Eisov] said, for he is called by the name Yaakov

and he [Yaakov] has deceived me these times

and behold he took my birthright 

and behold he has taken my blessing.

And he [Eisov] said have you saved a blessing for me?

The Gematria for  µyIm'+[}p' hz<∞ yŸnIbe~q"[]Y"w"ô Vah Yah Kih Bay Nee - Zeh - Fah Ah Mah Yeem, meaning: 'and he [Yaakov] has deceived me these times.'  The Gematria for µyIm'+[}p' hz<∞ yŸnIbe~q"[]Y"w"ô Vah Yah Kih Bay Nee - Zeh - Fah Ah Mah Yeem is 500.  This is the same Gematria for ˆton... Naw Tohn, meaning to give to or ˆtæn... Naw Tahn meaning, to bestow, to allow or permit...

500 = µ40 y10 m40 [70 p80 -  h5 z7 -  y10 n50 b2 q100 [70 y10 w6

500 = ˆ50 t400 n50

So dear ones behind the words are different Mystical meanings which tell an entirely different story.  From the Mysticism we learn that there are times it is necessary to deceive for the better good of the people around us or the city or the county or the state or the country or the world...  Rivkah and Yaakov's deception was permitted by the Creator for the better good of the world.  This was a righteous deception. This deception was for the better of all of us.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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Breath of / Spirit of Bitterness / Rebellion © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 26.1 - 35

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Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of John Rockwell, John Bond, Nylah Jo, Stephen Reynolds and Linda Sutherland may they rest in peace.   May they be elevated in the HaShamayim.

 Gen. 26:35

.hq:êb]rIl]W qj...`x]yIl] j"Wr= tr"mo∞ ˆ;yy<¡h]Tiw"  

And they were a spirt of rebellion to Yitzchok and Rivkah...

And they were a breath of rebellion to Yitzchok and Rivkah...

And they [Yehudit and Basmat] were spiritually rebellious to Yitzchok and Rivkah...  tr"mo, Moh Raht mean rebellion.  Rashi Teaches that tr"mo, comes from µyrIm]mæ, meaning 'you were rebellious,' Devarim 9.24. Others Teach that tr"mo, Moh Raht means bitterness.  In any case regardless if our definition is rebellion or bitterness we recognize the result as falling short of what our Creator Expects from His Creation.  

If this is a breath of bitterness or a breath of rebellion it is short lived.  However if these are spirits of bitterness or spirits of rebellion they live on.  How can we tell which they are?  The first Letter of tr"mo is µm Mem. The Letter travels in a 360 degree circle.  This gives us the impression that the bitterness or the rebellion is eternal.  This means the bitterness or rebellion lives in them, their children their grand children etc.  The Letter vyrE Reish means head or principle.  This is the first time the Word tr"mo occurs in Ha Torah. The usage in Bereisheit 26.35 is the head or principle. The Letter wT; Tav means sign. Rather it is bitterness or rebellion it begins with Eisov's marriage to Yehudit and Basmat.  Unfortunately it continues through their children.  Look at the flow of Letters from the right to the left.  The are flowing away from the Creator on the right... when we consider that the Creator is at the center of everything.

Moh Raht means bitterness or rebellion

trm

The Letter Mem is mystical with a continuing equals 360 degree circle

80 = µ40 m40

The Letter Reish means First or Principal

510 = v300 y10 r200

The Letter Tav Represents a sign

406 = w06 t400

The total of 996 = 80 + 510 + 406

Te Word ˆWrm]v]Ti, Tee Shih Mih Roon, meaning to guard, to keep, to observe... Please not the second Word of Devarim / Deuteronomy 6.16

 996 = ˆ50 w06r200 m40 c300 t400

What is bitterness?

Wikipedia defines bitterness as: having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet...  angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment...  painful or unpleasant to accept or contemplate..

What is rebellion?  Wikipedia defines bitterness as: an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler...

When one wonders from guarding Ha Torah... when one wonders from keeping the Mitzvot of Ha Torah when one does not Observe Ha Torah the full result is a spirit of bitterness and rebellion like that of Eisov and his wives Yehudit and Basmat. So we should try not to go towards that realm.  We try not to travel their.  We try not to travel in that direction.  We try to be careful.

May Hashem Bless each...

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 24.1 -67

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Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Margie Adler,  Joshua Goodman, Sylvia Good man and Gerald Goodman may they rest in peace. 

Gen. 24:1

µymi-Y:B' aB...` ˆqE+z: µh...¢r:b]a'w"  

.lKoêB' µh...`r:b]a'Ata, Ër"èBe hw:ühyw"ô 

And Avraham was an Elder with many days and Hashem Blessed Avraham in everything.

First, we observe that the Letters z Zayin, q Kuf and ˆ Nun spell the Word ˆqez... Zaw Kayn, Elder. The normal Gematria of Zaw Kayn is 157.  The Gematria Miluy Godal is 807. 

 Second each Letter when spelled out concludes with a Final Letter. 

ˆyIzæ Zah Yeen, meaning arms, weapon, male organ, seventh Letter of the Aleph Bet.

πWq Koof, meaning the eye of a needle, the hole of an ax handle the twentieth Letter of the Aleph Bet.

ˆWN Noon, meaning to degenerate, to decline, fish, fourteenth Letter of the Aleph Bet.

Third each letter represents an import event in Ha Torah.  The Letter Zayin Represents Shabbat, the Day of Rest, the Day Hashem G-d Ceased from all His work and rested.  The Letter Kuf Represents the age of Avraham when Yitzchok was born, one hundred  The Letter Noon Represents the fifty days we count between Pesach and Shavuot. 

We can move the Letters placing of  ˆqez... Zaw Kayn, Elder to spell zQenI Nee Kayz, meaning to drain, to be drained or qz≤nE Nay Zehk, meaning loss damage harm injury.  Each of these Words share the Gematria of 157.  Each of these Words share the same Letters.   Each of these Letters Represent important times.  However when the Letters are moved around we have very different meanings. The Letter Zayin {7} on the right of Kuf flows to the left to the Letter Kuf {100} in the center.  The Letter Nun {50} on the left of Kuf flows to the right towards the Kuf.  The Letter Kuf Represents hv;Wdq] Kedushah, Holiness.

The Letter Zayin Representing bh;z... Zaw Hawv, meaning gold flows to the left to towards the Kuf, towards Holiness.  The Letter Noon Representing rnE Nayr, meaning candle, and hm;v;n" Nih Shaw Maw, meaning our Soul join together to flow to the right towards the Kuf, holiness. So we have the candle of the Soul flowing towards Holiness.

Each of these observances of the Letters of  ˆqez... Zaw Kayn, Elder Teaches us what it is to be an Elder.

- Each Letter of the  z Zayin, q Kuf and ˆ Nun end in Final Letters.  This tells us the days of the Elder are concluding.  Avraham was 140 here in Bereisheit 24.1.  20% of his life remained.

- The center Letter, the Kuf Represents Holiness.  This tells us that Holiness is the center of an Elder's life. Beginning at a young age Avraham sanctified Hashem's Holy Name.  He went through the Fire.

- The first Letter of  ˆqez... Zaw Kayn is the Letter Zayin.  The Letter Zayin tells us G-d Rested on the Seventh day.  The Letter Zayin Represents Gold.  This tells us that the Elder rests from earning gold on the seventh day. Shabbat Observance was not required until the eighth day of counting the Omer.  See Chadashim - Chronology of B'nei Yisroel's Exit from mitzriam to Receiving Ha Torah on Har Sinai p.12.

- The Letter Zayin also Tells us that the Elder sanctifies their sexual organs, Bereisheit 17.26 On that very day Avraham and his son Yishmael were circumcised...

-  The Letter Zayin Tells us that the Elder sanctifies their weapons, their power against others.  In Bereisheit 14.22 Avraham states, 'I have lifted up my hand to Hashem the Most High Alm-ghty, Possessor of heaven and earth, [saying] neither a thread nor a shoelace, I will not take anything of yours so you can say, ''I have made Avraham wealthy''.' 

- The last Letter of  ˆqez... Zaw Kayn is the Letter Noon.  The Letter Noon Reminds us of the Candle of the Soul.  This means for the candle of the soul to burn brightly it has to move towards Holiness.  In Bereisheit 15.1 Hashem Tell Avraham, 'Fear not Avram, I am your Shield and your reward is great.'

- The Last Letter reminds us that the Elder is humble and that the Elder diminishes.  See Bereisheit 13.9  the separation of Lot from Avram.

- The last Letter informs us that the Elder will suffer personal loss or injury for the sake of Holiness.  We see this in Avram giving Lot whatever land he wanted, Bereisheit 13.9.  We see this in the rescue of Lot, Bereisheit 14.  We see this in Avraham's agreement with Avimelech, Bereisheit 21.

Now it is very interesting that  ˆqez... Zaw Kayn means Elder and of  ˆqez... Zaw Kayn also means old.  However being old does not make one an Elder unless they apply these principles.  Remember our Limood two weeks ago on righteousness.  Look at this lesson for Avraham's level of righteousness.  Look at Avraham's actions.

May each of us learn from this Limood the way of righteousness Avraham observed.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace, 

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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A Lesson from the Letter Chof © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 23.1 -20 

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Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Yochanan Bond and Mr. Stephen Reynolds may they rest in peace. 

Gen. 23.2

[Bæör"a' ty"èr"qIB] hr:%c; tm;T...¢w"  

 aO~bY:w" ˆ['n:-K] ≈r<a≤¢B] ˆ/r™b]j, awhià 

.Ht...âKob]liw" hr:¡c;l] dPoès]li µh;+r:b]a'

Shalom Dear Ones, please notice the 13th Word of Passuk Bet.  The 13th Word is the last Word. 

Notice the Word  Ht...âKob]liw", Vih Lee Bih Choh Tawh, meaning and to weep for her.  Please notice the 4th Letter is reduced in size.  Here the normal k Chof  is not so normal.  The normal k Chof  is reduced in size.  Our Sages Teach that the Letter k Chof is reduced to teach us to reduce our mourning.  Our Sages also Teach that the reduced Chof in  Ht...âKob]liw", Vih Lee Bih Choh Tawh should actually be read, HT;bil]W, Voo Lih Bee Tawh, meaning daughter.  When conbined as part of the last three Letters of 23.2 the meaning is  HT;bil]W hr:¡c;l] dPoès]li, to eulogize Sarah and her [virgin] daughter,'; who also died on that day, for the Sages derive from [Bereisheit 24.1 that the lKoBæ, Bah Cohl, meaning 'in all' as in Hashem Blessed Avraham in all must include a son, Yitzchok and a daughter.]  Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series - Bereishis Vol. I(a) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 866

Why a virgin daughter?  The Gematria of HT;bil]W, Voo Lih Bee Tawh, meaning, and a daughter too is 443.  The Gematria of hl;WtB], Bih Too Lawh, meaning virgin is 443.

Voo Lih Bee Tawh, meaning, and a daughter too

443 = h5 t400 b2 l30 w6

Bih Too Lawh, meaning virgin

443 = h5 l30 w6 t400 b2

When we consider the Letter k Chof we are aware that there is the normal k Chof  and the final ˚ Chof.   The final ˚ Chof is only used at the conclusion of a word.  The final ˚ Chof stands tall and proud.  When the final ˚ Chof is at the conclusion of a word it often means 'your'.   The final ˚ Chof  represents the Gematria 500.

Gen. 12.1

Úül]AËl, µr:+b]a'Ala, h~w:hy" rm,aOYªw"   

tyB´¢miW Ú¡T]d"l'/MêmiW Úèx]r"a'me

 .;a≤âr"a' rv≤àa} ≈r<a...`h;Ala, Úybi-a;

The normal k Chof  is at the beginning of a word or in the middle of a word.  The normal k Chof  when at the beginning of a word is often a connector that means 'like'.   The normal k Chof  represents the Gematria 20.

Gen. 1.26

µd:üa; hc≤à[}n"ê µyhi+løa' rm,aOY§w"   

tg"!d"bi W°Dr"yIw" Wnt´-Wmd"Ki Wnm´`l]x'B]

h~m;heB]b'W µyIm'%V;h' π/[∞b]W µY:@h' 

cm´àroh;î cm,r<¡h;Alk;b]W ≈r<a;+h;Alk;b]W

.≈r<a...âh;Al['

Deut. 2.33

WnynE-p;l] Wnyh´`løa' hw:èhy" WhnEüT]YIw"ê  

 ?wyn:¡B;¿ /nB]®Ata,w" /tüao ËN"èw" 

 ./Mê['AlK;Ata,w"

Some Teach that the Letter Chof maybe enlarged in Devarim 2.33.  The Letter Chof if enlarged would represent great emphasis on 'and we struck him, i.e. Sichon.'  , http://www.sofer.co.uk/html/large_letters.html.

The Letter   k Chof  when Represented as Miluy equals 100 and as Miluy Godal equals 820.  Why?  The final Letter is the Letter π Pay which can have a Gematria of 80 or of 800.  The Letter   k Chof  is spelled  πk that is with the Letter  k Chof and the Final Letter π Pay.

Miluy

100 = π80 k20

Miluy Godal

820 = π800 k20

Rabbie Michael Munk, author of The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet, Teaches that 'The name πk; means bent [from πWpK;] for the [Letter] derives its name from its bent shape.'  I.e. the bent shape of a spoon, the bent palm of the hand, the bent sole of the foot and the bent palm branch.  Rabbi Michael Munk The Wisdom In The Hebrew Alphabet Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn, N.Y. 1990), p. 135

Mystically our Sages Teach that the Letter  k Chof is Representive of rt,K,, Cheh Tehr, meaning crown. 

We know that among women that Sarah was the crown.  The Gematria of   Ht...âKob]liw", Vih Lee Bih Choh Tawh, meaning and to weep for her, is 463.  The Gematria of  twOnB;hæ, Ha Baw Noht, meaning 'the daughters' is 463.  This seems like a paradox.  How could Sarah who has only one virgin daughter who dies on the same day as her mother weep for her.  Ha Torah Says, 'I Will Bless her [Sarah] and she [Sarah] will be [a mother ] of to nations', Bereisheit 17.16.  The daughters of the Nations weeping over Sarah is Prophetic.  Who does not mourn the loss of Sarah, the greatest jewel of the Keter, Crown?  When Sarah died it was like the Chof of  Ht...âKob]liw", Vih Lee Bih Choh Tawh, meaning 'and to weep for her', was removed.   The greatest of Jewish women came first and now she is gone.   The mother of Yitzchok is gone.  The wife of Avraham is gone.  The mother of nations is gone.   Why was Sarah the greatest of jewels taken first?  It is to limit our mourning.  One should not exceed the mourning of Avraham for his wife, Sarah.  When we mourn the loss of our mother Sarah we are reminded not mourn excessively.  When we mourn the loss of others we are reminded not to mourn excessively.

Vih Lee Bih Choh Tawh, meaning 'and to weep for her'

463 = h5 t400 k20 b2 l30 w6

Ha Baw Noht, meaning 'the daughters' 

463 = t400 w6 n50 b2 h5

The Letter  k Chof is quite unique in Ha Torah.  Out of the twenty-two Letters of Hebrew only five are Final Letters.  Of the five Final Letters only two are connecting Letters, the k Chof and the m Mem.  The  k Chof and the m Mem can both change the beginning and conclusion of a Word.

It is possible that the Letter k Chof  is the only Letter in Ha Torah with meanings in the beginning middle and conclusion and with reduced size and with enlarged size. 

May Hashem Bless each oif us in our time of mourning in our time of sadness.  May we limit our time of grief.  May we limit our mourning.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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G-d Tested Avraham © 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 22.1 - 24

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Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. George Belk, Mrs Ethel Channah Sakash Belk Mr. Arnold Student Litman  may they rest in peace.

  Gen. 22:1

 µh...-r:b]a'Ata, hS...`nI µyhi+løa'h...¢w" hL,ae+h; µyrI∞b;D"h' r~j'a' yhi%y"w"

.ynINEêhi rm,aOYìw" µh...`r:b]a' wyl;+ae rm,aOY§w"

Dear Ones most of us know that G-d Tested Avraham.  Notice Words 5 - 8.  hS;nI, Nee Sawh, means to test, to try, to examine.  This is what G-d as Judge of the universe required of Avraham.  Sefer HaYashar, The Midrash Says, Midrash Rabbah and Midrash Tanchuma each comment that G-d Tested Avraham.

Sefer HaYashar 

Sefer HaYashar (Hoboken, NJ: KTAV Publishing House, Inc., 1993) p.8

Midrash Rabba

Rabbi Dr. H. Freedman, Midrash Rabba (New York, NY: The Soncino Press 1983) pp 482-503

The Midrash Says

Rabbi Moshe Weissman, The Midrash Says (Brooklyn, New York:  Benei Yakov Publications 1980), pp 192-206

Metsudah Midrash Tanchuma Bereishis 1

Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Midrash Tanchuma Bereishis 1 (Monsey, NY Eastern Book Press Inc. 2005) pp 295-297

The Weekly Midrash

The Weekly Midrash Vol. 1 Bereisheit / Shemot (Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn, N.Y. 2003), pp 152 -156

Midrash Rabba Says, The [L-rd] trieth the righteous, etc. (Ps.XI,5)... The L-rd Does Not test the wicked but only the righteous as it says, 'The [L-rd] trieth the righteous.' R. Eleazar said: When a man possesses two cows, one strong and the other feeble, upon which does he put the yoke?  Surely upon the righteous, as it says, The [L-rd] trieth the righteous.  Another interpretation: The [L-rd] trieth the righteous alludes to Abraham as it says, THAT [G-D] DID PROVE ABRAHAM.  pp 482, 483

Midrash Tanchuma Says [G-d Tested] Avrohom Tehillim 11.5  p296

There are a number of important points to notice about Avraham.

Avram Breaks His Father, Terach's, idols with an ax

The city was named after an incident between Avraham, his father Terach, a brother Charan, and King Nimrod. Avram {Avraham} broke all his father's idols - which were many- with an ax. He then left the ax in the hand of the largest idol and told his father that the largest idol had destroyed all the other idols. This was of course untrue. Terach realized the senselessness of Avram's story. He knew idols could not do what Avram claimed. Avraham used this to try to persuade his father to believe in the One true G-d. Terach refused. Terah took his son Avram before King Nimrod. Avram repeated the story to King Nimrod. He also knew idols could not do what Avram claimed. Avram used this incident to share about Hashem, the One true G-d, with King Nimrod.  http://www.jewishpath.org/gematriaintheendofdays.html

Abraham's [discovers G-d]

...his efforts to publicize the existence of [G-d] to the people of Ur Kasdim...forced  [a confrontation with] Nimrod, the regional monarch, and this resulted in Abraham's miraculous deliverance from [Ur Kasdim, i.e.] Nimrod's fiery furnace. This well-known incident is vital to our understanding of Abraham's character, for it illustrates Abraham's staunch devotion to the truth of [G-d's Existence], and it helps us understand why [G-d Chose] Abraham to disseminate His [Knowledge] to mankind. We can perceive the depth of Abraham's devotion to [G-d] when we realize that Abraham had no foreknowledge of [G-d's] intent to rescue him from the furnace, [See Nehemiah 9.7] http://www.jewishstudies.org/book/samplelesson.htm

Bereisheit 12.1,2

Avram leaves his land

Avraham leaves his birthplace

Avram leaves his father's house

Bereisheit 12

Avram went as Hashem had told him...

Avram built Altars to Hashem...

Avram separates from Lot

Bereisheit 14

Avram rescue Lot and all the people and cattle taken by the five kings

Avram tithed a 10th of everything

Avraham had thousands of servants / converts

Bereisheit 15

Avram agrees to Hashem's covenant

Bereisheit 16

Sarai gives Hagar to Avram for a wife

Hagar has Yishmael

Bereisheit 17

On the very day Avraham was commanded to receive circumcision  Avraham circumcised himself and the males in his household

Bereisheit 18

Hashem Appears Spiritually to Avraham three days after his circumcision

Three guest Appear before Avraham

Avram runs toward them, greets them, invites them for a meal

Avram hurries to Sarai's tent to have her prepare matzoh

Avraham ran to his cattle and took a choice calf

Avram receives the promise of a son at this same time {Pesach] next year

Avraham pleads for the righteous in Sedom

Bereisheit 19

Avraham got up early in the morning, Avraham saw heavy smoke rising from Sedom 

Bereisheit 20

Avraham journeyed from there

Sarah is taken by Avimelech to be his wife and Hashem Protects her

Avraham prayers for Avimelech so he and his country people will again be able to have children

Bereisheit 21

Yitzchok was born, he grew, he was weaned, Avraham made a great feast

Sari says drive out this bond woman and her son for the son of this slave woman will not inherit with my son, with Yitzchok

Avraham was trouble but obeyed

Avraham got up early in the morning and ejected Hagar and Yishmael

Avraham gave Hagar and Yishmael words of direction, a water pouch and bread

Bereisheit 22

Avraham is tested buy G-d

Avraham awoke early

Avraham saddled his donkey

Avraham split wood for the offering

Avraham offered Yitzchok as a sacrifice

Avraham learns that Rivkah the wife intended for Yitzchok was born

Bereisheit 23

Avraham mourns Sarah's death

Avraham the cave at Machpeilah

Bereisheit 24

Avraham calls for his most trusted servant and makes him swear regarding taking a wife for Yitzchok

Avraham instructs the servant

Bereisheit 25

Avraham takes Hagar back as Keturah for his wife

Avraham has nine children by her

Avraham gave them gifts and sent them away

Avraham dies at 175 years of age in peace.

What is the point to each of these stories?

Avraham was a righteous man.  Avraham was a Novie / Prophet.  Notice how Avraham did things.  Notice how careful Avraham was in his Observances.  Only the righteous are tested.  We may feel like we are tested but too often we are ONLY SUFFERING FROM OUR OWN SINS!  Avraham did Mitzvot.  We do Mitzvot.  Avraham is VERY RIGHTEOUS we are not?  Why?  Avraham was tried by G-d the Judge.  Usually we are not?  Why?  

It is the different way in which we do our Observances.  The only time the word  hS;nI, Nee Sawh, tested in Ha Torah like this is when Ha Torah Records,  G-d Tested Avraham.  Our sages tie the righteous to tests.  Our sages say G-d Only tests the righteous.  Why is this?  The righteous are strong.  We are weak!  If we were tested as Avraham and Dovid Ha Melech and B'nei Yisroel in the BaMidbar were tested we would fail.  Tests are designed to show the strength of the material, of the auto, of the jet of loving G-d or righteousness...

The Gematria of the word    hS;nI, Nee Sawh, to be tested is 115.  qz...j;, Haw Zawk meaning strength is 115.  The immediacy of Avraham in each of these examples is like the last Word in Bereisheit 22.1, ynInEhi, Hee Nay Nee, 'I am ready'.  How many times have we NOT been immediate like Avraham?  How many times have we drug our self to do a Mitzvah instead of hurrying?  How many times did we just not do the Mitzvah?  That is the difference between Avraham and us.  Avraham and the righteous have a higher self!  Only the strong can reach these levels.  Only the strong can endure these tests.

\Nee Saw / To be tested

115 = h5 s60 n50

Haw zawk To be strong, to have strength 

115 = q100 z7 j8

Hee Nay Nee / I am ready!

115 = y10 n50 n50 h5

What is the point?  The word for Sold is πWg, Goof meaning soul or body.  Whenever Ha Torah is translated from Hebrew to English and the world 'self' is used we are reminded that the word πWg, Goof  does NOT OCCUR EVEN ONE TIME IN Ha Tenach.  Instead the word used for self is Nefesh. Why is this?  This is to remind us that just as the Word πWg, Goof  is invisible in Ha Torah it must be invisible in us.  In  other Words in the Words of Mishnah, NUllify your will in the face of His Will, so that He Will nullify the will of others in the face of your will, Avot 2.4 The sages teach that Often a person performs Commandments, but angrily or begrudgingly, as through duress... Rabban Gamliel thus Teaches us to serve Him willingly, so that He in turn will do our will willingly.... In other Words treat your own will as if it were His Will.  I.e. one should liv e only for the sake of Heaven and perform even mundane affairs for the sake of Heaven....  Mishnah Volume IV(Mesorah Publications, LTD, Brooklyn, N.Y 11232 First Edition 2007, First Impression ) p 111

The full essence for the Word πWg, Goof is 166.  When we lift our self up ˆwOyl"[,, Eh Lee Yoon, meaning to lift ones self up on high, there is only one place for our prideful self to go Wlp]n: Naw Feh Loo, meaning to be fallen.  So the point is to take the self, the prideful self, the high and might self , the haughty self out of our being so that we will have a righteous being and be free to love G-d and serve G-d as our Father Avraham did.

166 =  81 = a1 p80  -  12= w6 w6  -  73 = l30 m40g3

166 = ˆ50 w6 y10 l30 [70

166 = w6 l30 p80 n50

The prayer for each of us is not to be self empowering but  to be soul empowering as our father Avraham and mother Sarah were.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

 h |B

Comments Regarding: Teaching Our Children © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

Understanding the Honor Ha Torah Requires for Parents ©

Parshat Mishpatim

Shemot [Exodus] 21.1 - 24.18

Why Did Avraham Send Yishmael and Hagar Away Penniless? © 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 21.1 - 34 

Audio

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Yochanan, Mr. Lee Davis, Mrs Leann Davis and Mrs. Kathleen Travis may they rest in peace. 

Dear Ones this is a series of follow up questions regarding last weeks Parshat Mishpatim and Torah Limood.

Question:

Dr. Akiva Gamliel, in one of your recent audio / note lectures you spoke of our obligation in teaching our children.  Would you elaborate more on the differences between the obligations for Noachide parents & children, and between Jewish parents and children and between Jewish parents and Noachide children that may include Chrisitan children etc?

First, Jewish Parents are required to teach all the Mitzvot of Ha Torah to their Jewish children as best as they can throughout their entire life.  Jewish Parents are never relieved of these Commands in Ha Torah.  This can be challenging especially if parents are widowed, divorced, separated, or are of different Torah Understanding.

Second, Jewish Parents are required to teach their non-Jewish children the Mitzvot of Ha Torah as best as they can throughout their entire life.  Jewish Parents with Noachide Children i.e. non-JEWISH CHILDREN are never relieved of these Commands in Ha Torah.  This means Jewish Parents with non-Jewish children are required to Teach their children the Seven Laws of Noach which branch out into 66 + Commands. AGAIN,  This can be challenging especially if parents are widowed, divorced, separated, or are of different Torah Understanding OR ARE OF ANOTHER RELIGION.

For example:

a. What does one do if one's Children are raised as Old Testament / New Testament Bible believing Christians?

b. What does one do if one's Children are raised as New Testament, i.e. The Gospels and the Epistles?

c. What does one do if one's Children are raised as Epistles Christians?

These three Questions can raise some really interesting answers.

G-d Willing I will use an example of Torah Nidda and Rabbinical Nidda to help explan these questions.

"Taharat HaMishpacha" - "family purity;" laws regarding Sexual Discipline in Marriage. In marital law, immersion of the wife in a Mikvah is a vital component. These laws are based on the verse: "You shall not come near a woman, while she is impure by her uncleanness, to uncover her nakedness" (Lev. 18:19).

Quoting several paragraphs from "To Be a Jew," by Rabbi Chaim HaLevy Donin, published by Basic Books, N.Y., 1972:

"For a full seven day period from the onset of the monthly menstrual period, the Torah prohibits all sexual relations between husband and wife. The technical term for the state in which the wife is in during the menstrual period is called "niddah" (literal meaning: to be removed or separated)."

"By Rabbinic edict, the Talmud extended this period of separation (niddah) to "seven clean days" following the menstrual period. Since the menstrual period lasts about five days for the average woman, the total period of separation that is in force each month is about twelve days."

"A woman remains in the state of 'niddah' until she has immersed herself in a ritual body of water ('mikvah'). This immersion is the ritual act that divides the two periods of time - the period of separation when marital relations are forbidden and the period of union when such relations are not only permissible but regarded as essential to physical and mental health."

"It is the responsibility of the wife to note carefully the day on which she last saw blood and to count the seven "clean" days that follow, so that her visit to the mikvah is neither too soon nor unnecessarily delayed."  http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/tw.htm

Third, Noachide Parents are required to teach their non-Jewish children the Mitzvot of Ha Torah as best as they can throughout their entire life.  Noachide Parents with Noachide Children i.e. non-JEWISH CHILDREN are never relieved of these Commands in Ha Torah.  This means Nochide Parents with non-Jewish children are required to Teach their children the Seven Laws of Noach which branch out into 66 + Commands. AGAIN,  This can be challenging especially if parents are widowed, divorced, separated, or are of different Torah Understanding OR ARE OF ANOTHER RELIGION.

May each of us improve our Torah Observances.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

 h |B

Why Did Avraham Send Yishmael and Hagar Away Penniless? © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 21.1 - 34 

If the Hebrew is not readable please click here.

Audio

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Lee Davis, Mrs Leann Davis and Mrs. Kathleen Travis may they rest in peace. 

Shalom Dear Ones, 

We are learning Bereisheit 21 [Genesis 21] Tells several stories that are all connected by  Avraham sending Yishmael and Hagar away penniless.

1. Sarah - Drive out this bond woman and her son

2. Sarah - This bond woman and her son will not inherit with my son Yitzchok

3. Avraham - This request was wrong in the eyes of Avraham. Avraham was a prophet. Our Sages Teach that Sarah was a Prophetess who was on a higher level of Prophecy than Avraham.  Women are more Spiritual than men.  Women set the atmosphere for Spirituality in the home.

4. Hashem - Avraham listen to Sarah!!

5. Avraham obeyed.

6. Avraham sent Yishmael and Hagar away with just water and bread.  Why?

Gen. 21:14

rq<Bo^B' { µh...¢r:b]a' µK´¢v]Y"w"   

rg:h;·Ala, ˆT´¢YIw" µyIm'⁄ tm'jeŸw" µ*j,l,AjQ"êYIêw"

 h;j≤-L]v'y"w"ê dl,Y<¡h'Ata,w" Hm...ök]viAl[' µc...á

.[b'v...â ra´àB] rBæ`d"miB] [t'Te+w" Ël,T´¢w"

The Gematria [746] of µyIm'⁄ tm'jeŸw" µ*j,l,AjQ"êYIêw" Vih Yee Kah Ach - Leh Chehm - Vih Chay Maht Mah Yeem, and he [Avraham] took bread and a skin [pouch] of water is the same Gematria as µt;g...g"vi Shee Gih Gaw Tawm, meaning their errors.  This is an example of how our errors separate us from the wealth,  riches and blessings we could enjoy simply by being in the presence of the righteous.

Vih Yee Kah Ach - Leh Chehm - Vih Chay Maht Mah Yeem, and

he [Avraham] took bread and a skin [pouch] of water

746 = µ40 y10 m40    t400 m40 j8 w6    µ40 j8 l30    j8 q100 y10 w6

Shee Gih Gaw Tawm, their errors

746 = µ40 t400 g6 g6 v300

So Avraham sent Yishmael and Hagar way without any wealth because he despised Yishmael for falling into evil ways. [Rashi].  Yet Avraham did rg:h;·Ala, ˆT´¢YIw" Vah Yee Tayn - Ehl Hagar, i.e he gave to Hagar.  What did he give to Hagar?  Avraham gave Hagar htev] Shi Tayh, meaning drink... to establish... to found... Avraham gave Hagar  the secret to live Spiritually in the desert.  How do we know this?  The following phrase from Ha Torah says 'She went and lost her way'.

Vah Yee Tayn - Ehl Hagar, i.e he gave to Hagar.

705 = r200 g3 h5     l30 a1     ˆ50 t400 y10 w6

Shi Tayh, meaning drink... to establish... to found... 

705 = h5 t400 v300

May Hashem open our eyes to areas we can improve and may we try to be better people.  May we use Ha Torah to assist us in meeting the challenges in life.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

   h |B 

 wyn:B; 

Children © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 18.1 - 33 

If the Hebrew does not open on your computer please click here.

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Robert Dietrich and Mr. Jimmy Reeves and Mr. Jim Wilson may they rest in peace. 

Shalom Dear Ones, 

We are learning Bereisheit 18 [Genesis 18].  There is one Word that really caught my attention this time through on our learning expedition.  Please notice the seventh Word of Bereisheit 18.19.  

Gen. 18:19

, hW<@x'y" rv,Ÿa} ˆ°['m'l] wyTi%[]d"y" yKi¢

 wyr:+j}a' /ŸtyBeAta,w" wyn:•B;Ata,

hq:¡d:x] t/cè[}l' hw:±hy" Ër<D<∞ WŸrm]v...âw"

 h~w:hy" aybi¶h; ˆ['m'%l] fP...-v]miW

 .wyl...â[; rB≤`DIArv,a} ta´à µh;+r:b]a'Al['

Why did the Word wyn:B;, Baw Nawv, meaning children catch my attention? First it is because at that time in history Avraham's ONLY child was Yishmael.  Yet Ha Torah Records Hashem as Using the Word,  wyn:B;, Baw Nawv, 'children.'  Baw Nawv occurs five times before Bereisheit 18.19.  Baw Nawv occurs in Bereisheit 7.7, 13; 8.18; 9.1 and 9.8.  Each occurrence means children.  The Word Baw Nawv is common.   Baw Nawv occurs in 230 Passukim [Verses] of Ha Tenach.  The first Letter of Baw Nawv is  B, Bet, meaning house.  Bet is the second Letter of the Aleph Bet [Hebrew alpha bet].  The Letter Bet Represents tyIBæ, Bah Yeet, House; tyviarEB], Bereisheit, In the Beginning; ˚WrB;, Baw Rook, Blessings; ar:B;, Create and ˆBi, Ben, Son and wyn:B;, Baw Nawv, Children.  This is just a very small sampling of what the Letter Bet Represents.   In essence this means that a good parent builds a house from the beginning creating the correct atmosphere for blessings in their children.

Why did Hashem Use the Word wyn:B;, Baw Nawv?  Well. we cannot second guess the Creator.  However we do know that wyn:B;, Baw Nawv can represent children and grandchildren.  wyn:B;, Baw Nawv can also represent sons.  We know that Avraham had eight sons, Yishmael, Yitzchok, Zimran, Yokshon, Medan, Midian, Yishbok and Shuach.  Only Yitzchok was the son of the Covenant.   wyn:B;, Baw Nawv represents Yitzchok and his children and grandchildren etc. and  wyn:B;, Baw Nawv represents all eight of Avraham's sons.  It should not be difficult for us to understand Ha Torah's Intention in the use of the Word  wyn:B;, Baw Nawv.  It is clear that Hashem Made Direct reference to both Yishmael and Yitzchok and indirect references to the other sons of Avraham.  Ha Torah Takes us further than this.  Ha Torah Says, wyn:•B;Ata,, Eht Baw Nawv, meaning everything from Aleph to Tav of Avraham's children and grandchildren.  The Word Eht makes this all inclusive.  The meaning is all Avraham's sons and their children and their grand children.  Baw Nawv is the Gematria 68.  Eht - Baw Nawv is the Gematria 469.  Yih Tzah Veh - Eht - Baw Nawv is the Gematria of 580.  Each Gematria has important associations.

Now we observe the phrase, wyn:•B;Ata, hW<@x'y", Yih Tzah Veh - Eht - Baw Nawv, meaning [Avraham] commanded his children.  This phrase brings everything back into focus.  The Word, hW<@x'y", Yih Tzah Veh, meaning he [Avraham] commanded expresses much.  What did Avraham command his children? 

Gen. 18:19

, hW<@x'y" rv,Ÿa} ˆ°['m'l] wyTi%[]d"y" yKi¢

 wyr:+j}a' /ŸtyBeAta,w" wyn:•B;Ata,

hq:¡d:x] t/cè[}l' hw:±hy" Ër<D<∞ WŸrm]v...âw"

 h~w:hy" aybi¶h; ˆ['m'%l] fP...-v]miW

 .wyl...â[; rB≤`DIArv,a} ta´à µh;+r:b]a'Al['

For every individual who is not of the bloodline of Avraham these three Words are real important. 

wyr:+j}a' /ŸtyBeAta,w", Vih Eht - Bay Toh - Ah Chah Rawv, meaning and the household of [Avraham].  Why is this so important?  It is real important because these three Words include people from all walks of life and of all descendants.  Ha Torah Recorded that Avraham commanded his household after him.

Gen. 18:19

, hW<@x'y" rv,Ÿa} ˆ°['m'l] wyTi%[]d"y" yKi¢

 wyr:+j}a' /ŸtyBeAta,w" wyn:•B;Ata,

hq:¡d:x] t/cè[}l' hw:±hy" Ër<D<∞ WŸrm]v...âw"

 h~w:hy" aybi¶h; ˆ['m'%l] fP...-v]miW

 .wyl...â[; rB≤`DIArv,a} ta´à µh;+r:b]a'Al['

Avraham commanded his children and his household after him,  WŸrm]v...âw" Vih Shaw Mih Roo, meaning to guard... to keep;  Ër<D<∞, Deh Rehk, meaning the path... the way... of Hashem.  How were they to guard the path of Hashem?  

Gen. 18:19

, hW<@x'y" rv,Ÿa} ˆ°['m'l] wyTi%[]d"y" yKi¢

 wyr:+j}a' /ŸtyBeAta,w" wyn:•B;Ata,

hq:¡d:x] t/cè[}l' hw:±hy" Ër<D<∞ WŸrm]v...âw"

 h~w:hy" aybi¶h; ˆ['m'%l] fP...-v]miW

 .wyl...â[; rB≤`DIArv,a} ta´à µh;+r:b]a'Al['

t/cè[}l', Lah Ah Soot, meaning to do the work of hq:¡d:x], Tzih Daw Kawh [Tzedakah]  fP...-v]miW; Oo Meesh Pawt, meaning Justice. So He [Avraham[] commanded his children and his household after him that they guard the path of Hashem by doing the work of Tzedakah [Kindness and Charity] and Justice...

What is the meaning here?  There are children of the bloodline of Avraham who do not 'guard the path of Hashem by doing the work of Tzedakah [Kindness and Charity] and Justice...' and their are disciples of Avraham who do 'guard the path of Hashem by doing the work of Tzedakah [Kindness and Charity] and Justice...'  One is born of the bloodline of Avraham the other is born of the Spirituality of Avraham.

The point is that Avraham was known for doing Kindness, Charity and Justice.  Our Sages Teach that Yitzchok looked exactly like Avraham.  People could not tell them apart from their looks or from their actions of Kindness, Charity and Justice.  Yishmael was unruly.  Yishmael was a thief.  Yishmael was hated by those around him.  See Bereisheit 16.12. Yishmael may have been from Avraham's bloodline but he did not do the actions of Kindness, Charity and Justice.  Remember He [Avraham] commanded his children.  As parents and grandparents we know that all of our children may not follow our instructions.  It is our responsibility to command them in the path of Hashem.  It is their individual responsibility to Observe these Commands.  At first Yishmael did not Observe these commands.  Eisov did not Observe these commands. We can only Teach the path of Hashem.  We cannot force our children to follow the Path of Hashem.  So while they are all our children there is a difference!

Gematria Miluy

wyn:B;, Baw Nawv, children

550 = wynB

        w          y            n            B

550 =   12=w6 w6  + 20=d4 w6 y10  + 106=ˆ50 w6 n50  +  412=t400 y10 B2

Gematria Regal

yrEm]v, Sh Mih Ray, the Guardians 

550 = y10 r200 m40 v300

The fullness of children is the Gematria 550. The Gematria of yrEm]v, Sh Mih Ray, meaning the Guardians completes this Passuk.   He [Avraham[] commanded his children and his household after him that they guard the path of Hashem by doing the work of Tzedakah [Kindness and Charity] and Justice in order to bring upon Avraham everything from Aleph to Tav of that Hashem Had [Spoken] upon him.

In other words Avraham's children are commanded to guard how they live in order  to preserve the promises of Hashem Given to Avraham.  Avraham's children are commanded to be  guardians or to be just like Avraham.  This tells us that Avraham was a proper example for his children.  Our goal is to raise guardians of Ha Torah.

When a parent is not a proper example for their children what do they do?  One begins from where they are. Try to begin repairing poor behavior.  Try building on good traits. 

A good parent builds a house from the beginning creating the correct atmosphere for blessings in their children.  When children are already grown the house is built.  One cannot start from the beginning.  It is challenging to create an atmosphere for blessings when the children are grown or gone from home.  How does one remodel a child's home?  How does one change behavior and attitudes that our children learned from us from the beginning?  These are the areas we face when we failed to place the Letter Bet in  wyn:B;, Baw Nawv. When the Bet is absent we have wOynI, Nee Voh meaning lamenting, wailing, passionate expressions of grief and sorrow.  We have regret and disappointment.  We mourn and express disappointment when the Letter Bet is removed from   wyn:B;, Baw Nawv.

When Ha Torah Says Avraham commanded his children this means he established a House of Learning.  Yitzchok attended the School of Shem and Eiver.  We do not read of Yishmael attending the school of Shem and Eiver.  Avraham was circumcised when Yitzchok was born. Avraham was not circumcised when Yishmael was born. Avraham taught Kindness, Charity and Justice to both Yitzchok and Yishmael.  At first it did not take with Yishmael.  Why?  His mother Hagar poisoned her son with hatred towards Sarah and Sarah's Teachings of Ha Torah.  Later when Hagar changed her name to Keturah she became beautiful.  Our Sages Teach her deeds became beautiful. Rabbi Avrohom Davis / Rabbi Avrohom Kleinkaufman, The Metsudah Chumash / Rashi (Hoboken, NJ: KTAV Publishing House, Inc. 1993) p266

Remember Avraham who was very wealthy sent Yishmael away with just a little bread and a pouch of water because he was angry with him.  See Bereisheit 21.14. Yishmael later corrected his life style. Our sages note this in the comments for Bereisheit 25.8,9. Our Sages Teach that 'a good old age' makes specific reference to the fact that Yishmael no longer cause Avraham grief.  Our Sages also point out that Yishmael repented.  Rashi Says, 'Good old age [means] that Ishmael had repented...'  ''We infer from the fact that, ['And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him'] that Ishmael repented and gave precedence to Isaac.  [Why?] We would expect to see Ishmael mentioned first as the older son.''

It is real important to note this change of behavior for Yishmael because this gives us an understanding of what needs to happen to turn things around for a wayward child.  Yishmael needed a change of location.  Where he was living was not good.  Yishmael needed a change of influences.  The people he was listening to influenced him incorrectly.  Either his family / friends needed to change or their view on what is correct / incorrect needed to change.  This is what we pray for and work towards with wayward children.  We use others to influence them.  We encourage a change in their poor background to a better background.  Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series - Bereishis Vol. I(a) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 975, 977

May Hashem open our eyes to areas we can improve and may we try to be better people.  May we use Ha Torah to assist us in meeting the challenges in life.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

   h |B 

An Appearance from Hashem 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 18 ©

Bereisheit [Genesis] 18.1 - 33 

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr Yochanan Bond, Jim Beaudry. Lee Davis, and Steven Reynolds may they rest in peace.

Shalom Dear Ones,

We are learning Bereisheit 18 [Genesis 18].  Avraham is 99 years old.  This is the third day after his Brit Milah. He is in great pain.  Hashem Comes to visit Avraham in a vision.  Ha Torah Says Hashem [Spirituality] Appeared to Avraham,   Bereisheit 18.1.  This is where we begin.  It is here in this Perik [Chapter] that we learn about visiting the sick when Hashem Visits Avraham.

Bereisheit 18.1

1. Has anyone experienced a vision or a dream of the Creator?  Avraham did.

Bereisheit  18.2

2. How should be treat guests?

Avraham lifts up his eyes and observes three men [Actually angels]  Standing above him.  They were messengers of Hashem.  This is the first eight Words of Bereisheit 2.  The last seven Words of Bereisheit 18.2 are to be separated from the first seven.  The Angels have departed.  They are at a distance.  Avraham runs to met them.

Bereisheit 18.3 - 8

Avraham has a special meal prepared for them.  Remember Avraham was 99 years old Sarah was 89 years old.

3.  So ladies, how would you feel if out of nowhere your husband cam rushing in on day before Pesach whey you are cleaning and making Pesach preparations and says,  'Hurry make some cake rolls from the finest flour... we have guest that are waiting?

Bereisheit 18.8-16

Avraham and the Angels talk.  One Angel Reveals to Avraham a message from the Creator. Sarah will have a son.

4. How old was Chavah when she bore Shet? How old was Yochoved when she bore Moshe?How old was Na'amah when she bore her first child?  (See Sefer HaYashar).

Bereisheit 18.17-19

Hashem Reveals to Avraham that he will be a great and mighty nation.  The entire world will be blessed through him.

5. Notice Passuk [Verse] 19.  What is so special about the Word wyn:B;, Baw Nawv, meaning children?

Bereisheit 18.20-33b

Hashem Reveals that Sedom is going to be destroyed because of their wickedness. Avraham intercedes on behalf of the righteous of Sedom.

6. Why did Avraham stop at ten righteous?

G-d Willing we will be checking back throughout the day and week to respond to your comments and questions.

Blessings Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

   h |B 

µymit;

The Perfection of Avraham © 

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk 

Limood 

Bereisheit [Genesis] 17.1 - 27 

If you cannot read the Hebrew on this page please click here.

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr Yochanan Bond may he rest in peace and Mrs. 

Jeanne Camille Wiltz Pierre may she rest in peace. 

Shalom Dear Ones,

We are learning Bereisheit 17 [Genesis 17].

Bereisheit 17.1

1. When does Avram's name change?

Avram is ninety-six years old and his name is still Avram.  In Passuk Hey [Verse 5] Avram's name is changed to Avraham.

Gen. 17:1

µynI-v; [v't´¢w" hn:¡v; µy[iàv]TiAˆB, µr:+b]a' yhi¢y"w"

la´¢AynIa} wŸyl;ae rm,aOYªw" µr:%b]a'Ala hw:@hy" ar:ŸYEw" 

 .µymiât; hyEèh]w< yn"¡p;l] ËL´àh't]hi yD"+v',

2. What do you feel Hashem Meant when He Said to Avram, 'Walk before Me and be Perfect'?

Notice the last Word of Passuk Aleph [Verse 1]. 

µymit;, Taw Meem means honest, innocent, harmless, upright, naive, whole, full, complete, entire, flawless and unblemished...

The Word Taw Meem occurs 54 times in Ha Tenach.  The first occurrence is Bereisheit 6.9 when Ha Torah States 'Noach was flawless in his generation.'  The second occurrence of Taw Meem is here in Bereisheit 17.2. 

The Gematria of Taw Meem is 490. 

In Bereisheit 15.2 Avram was 70 years.  Ha Torah Records Avram's statement,  'My Master, Hashem, what will You Give me since I continue childless and the administrator of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'  It is interesting that the tenth Word is yrIyrI[}, Ah Ree Ree, meaning childless.

Gen. 15:2

yrI-yrI[} Ël´¢/h yki`nOa;w" yli+AˆT,TiAhm' h~wIhyÖ yn:•doa} µr:%b]a' rm,aOY§w" 

.rz<[≤âylia' qc,M≤àD" aWh¡ yti+yBe qv,m≤¢Aˆb,W

Avram's contention was '[Hashem[ You have not given me children.'  In last weeks Limood, Bereisheit 16, it was Sarai, Avram's wife, who said, 'Hashem has restrained me [Sarai] from having children.'  This was 15 years past Bereisheit 15.2.  This is when Sarai gave Avram her handmaiden, Hagar. When Avram was 86 years old he has Yishmael. Something changed.

The Gematria of Taw Mee {perfect} is 490.

The Gematria of Ah Ree Ree {childless} is 490.  

490 = µ40 y10 m40 t400

490 = y10 r200 y10 r400 [70

3. What is the connection between these two Gematrias? What does not having children and walking perfect before Hashem possible indicate?  What one thing did Avram lack?

Bereisheit 17 .2

The last two words are repeated.

  Gen. 17:2

 .daoêm] daoèm]Bi Ú¡t]/a hB≤àr"a'w" Ún<-ybeW ynI∞yBe yti`yrIb] hn:èT]a,w"

The Gematria of daom], Mih Ohd, meaning to increase.  When we have two of the same Words following each other as in  daom] daom]Bi Ha Torah is Saying Greatly increase.  The Gematria of Mih Ohd is 45. In Passul Bet [Verse 2] Hashem is Saying to Avram, I Will My Covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you [i.e.. your descendants] exceedingly.  It is interesting to note that the Gematria for hl;Wag", Gih Voo Law, meaning to redeem or redemption.  

Mystically I see redemption being multiplied exceedingly.

45 = d4 a1 m40

45 = h5 l30 w6 a1 g3

G-d Willing we will learn more later today and this week.  I plan to add more to this discussion later. Please think about Bereisheit 17.  It would really be wonderful if you would join us in sharing your thoughts .  I would really enjoy hearing from you.

The Rebbetzin brought out a really good point:

It is interesting to note that mih ode mih ode (translated as "most exceedingly") is used by Hashem in speaking to Avram in Passuk Beit (Verse 2) and then just after He Gave Avram his new name, Avraham, in Passuk Vav (Verse 6). Hashem Is Heaping Blessings on our holy Forefather Avraham and in turn on all of his descendants. This is Resplendent Divine Love and is so uplifting to read, absorb and experience. Reference for translation: Rabbi Nosson Scherman, > (Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, N.Y. 1993), p. 7

Mazel Tov Rebbetzin!

Excellent comment!

Brachah Rivkah bat Sarah ask a really great question:

...What do you feel Hashem Meant when He Said to Avram, 'Walk before Me and be Perfect'?

To walk implies action on man's part. This seems to say that without action one cannot be Perfect Before HaShem. One must Observe the Mitzvot of Ha Torah to become Perfect. Is this correct?

Re: 'To walk implies action on man's part. This seems to say that without action one cannot be Perfect Before HaShem. One must Observe the Mitzvot of Ha Torah to become Perfect. Is this correct?"

ACTION IS VERY IMPORTANT! Excellent observation!

Ha Torah Teaches that our actions are everything. This is why we at B'nai Noach Torah Institute stress changing ones behavior. Our actions of Observing the Commands of Ha Torah is what makes us righteous. In other words one must do goods. One must avoid the actions that are wrong. If one were to think that faith alone is all that one needs to please our Creator that would be incorrect.

Action is a MAJOR distinction between Judaism and Spirituality and the other religions of the world.

When Ha Torah Says Noach was perfect / flawless in all his ways this specifically alludes to the fact that in addition to Noach righteous living... righteous actions... the absence of sinful actions... Noach was born circumcised. Rabbi Yisroel Yitzchok Yishai Chasidah, Encyclopedia of Biblical Personalities (Jerusalem: Shaar Press Publication Mashabim, 2003) p412

Shem the son of Noach was also born circumcised. Rabbi Yisroel Yitzchok Yishai Chasidah, Encyclopedia of Biblical Personalities (Jerusalem: Shaar Press Publication Mashabim, 2003) p510

What is the point? Avraham was Instructed by Hashem to walk in perfection. Avraham lacked one thing. What was it?

This returns us to our Gematria.  µymit;, Taw Meem means honest, innocent, harmless, upright, naive, whole, full, complete, entire, flawless and unblemished...  At that time, Bereisheit 15.2, Avram was  yrIyrI[}, Ah Ree Ree, meaning childless.  For Avram to have children he needed to take a special step.  This was an elevated step.  This step was circumcision.  It was Brit Milah.  The Creator Knew that Avram would follow His Command to be Circumcised.  The Creator Changed Avram's name to Avraham.  The Creator also changed Sarai's name whose name was also changed to Sarah had a son.  Less than a year later they had an exceptional son, Yitzchok.

Avraham Observed the Mitzvah of Brit Milah.  Observing Ha Torah brings about wonderful rewards.

May each of us Observe the Commands of Ha Torah and receive rich wonderful blessings for Hashem.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

Bereisheit 17 [Genesis]  Starter for this weeks Ha Torah  learning

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel

If you have trouble reading the Hebrew please click here.

Shalom Dear Ones,

Thank you for joining us on the B'nai Noach Torah Institute blog this week.  We are learning Bereisheit 17 [Genesis 17]. G-d Willing I will be checking back today 01-18-09 and throughout this week to read your comments and answers some questions. You are invited to post a comment or ask a question about this weeks Limood.

Bereisheit 17.1

1. When does Avram's name change?

Avram is ninety-six years old and his name is still Avram.  In Passuk Hey [Verse 5] Avram's name is changed to Avraham.

Gen. 17:1

µynI-v; [v't´¢w" hn:¡v; µy[iàv]TiAˆB, µr:+b]a' yhi¢y"w"

la´¢AynIa} wŸyl;ae rm,aOYªw" µr:%b]a'Ala hw:@hy" ar:ŸYEw" 

 .µymiât; hyEèh]w< yn"¡p;l] ËL´àh't]hi yD"+v',

2. What do you feel Hashem Meant when He Said to Avram, 'Walk before Me and be Perfect'?

Notice the last Word of Passuk Aleph [Verse 1]. 

µymit;, Taw Meem means honest, innocent, harmless, upright, naive, whole, full, complete, entire, flawless and unblemished...

The Word Taw Meem occurs 54 times in Ha Tenach.  The first occurrence is Bereisheit 6.9 when Ha Torah States 'Noach was flawless in his generation.'  The second occurrence of Taw Meem is here in Bereisheit 17.2. 

The Gematria of Taw Meem is 490. 

In Bereisheit 15.2 Avram was 70 years.  Ha Torah Records Avram's statement,  'My Master, Hashem, what will You Give me since I continue childless and the administrator of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'  It is interesting that the tenth Word is yrIyrI[}, Ah Ree Ree, meaning childless.

Gen. 15:2

yrI-yrI[} Ël´¢/h yki`nOa;w" yli+AˆT,TiAhm' h~wIhyÖ yn:•doa} µr:%b]a' rm,aOY§w" 

.rz<[≤âylia' qc,M≤àD" aWh¡ yti+yBe qv,m≤¢Aˆb,W

Avram's contention was '[Hashem[ You have not given me children.'  In last weeks Limood, Bereisheit 16, it was Sarai, Avram's wife, who said, 'Hashem has restrained me [Sarai] from having children.'  This was 15 years past Bereisheit 15.2.  This is when Sarai gave Avram her handmaiden, Hagar. When Avram was 86 years old he has Yishmael. Something changed.

The Gematria of Taw Mee {perfect} is 490.

The Gematria of Ah Ree Ree {childless} is 490.  

490 = µ40 y10 m40 t400

490 = y10 r200 y10 r400 [70

3. What is the connection between these two Gematrias? What does not having children and walking perfect before Hashem possible indicate?  What one thing did Avram lack?

Bereisheit 17 .2

The last two words are repeated.

  Gen. 17:2

 .daoêm] daoèm]Bi Ú¡t]/a hB≤àr"a'w" Ún<-ybeW ynI∞yBe yti`yrIb] hn:èT]a,w"

The Gematria of daom], Mih Ohd, meaning to increase.  When we have two of the same Words following each other as in  daom] daom]Bi Ha Torah is Saying Greatly increase.  The Gematria of Mih Ohd is 45. In Passul Bet [Verse 2] Hashem is Saying to Avram, I Will My Covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you [i.e.. your descendants] exceedingly.  It is interesting to note that the Gematria for hl;Wag", Gih Voo Law, meaning to redeem or redemption.  

Mystically I see redemption being multiplied exceedingly.

45 = d4 a1 m40

45 = h5 l30 w6 a1 g3

G-d Willing we will learn more later today and this week.  I plan to add more to this discussion later. Please think about Bereisheit 17.  It would really be wonderful if you would join us in sharing your thoughts .  I would really enjoy hearing from you.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

   h |B

˚]l; ˆgEm; ykinOa;

I am your Shield ©

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

If the Hebrew does not open please click here.

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr Yochanan Bond may he rest in peace and Mrs. 

Jeanne Camille Wiltz Pierre may she rest in peace. 

Limood

Bereisheit [Genesis] 15.1 - 21

When we examine the Gematria of  ˚]l; ˆgEm; ykinOa;, Aw Noh Chee - Maw Gayn Law Kih, meaning I [Hashem] Am your Shield is 224.  In Ha Torah we make a lot of stir about Hashem being Avraham's Shield.  In our morning prayers, in the very first blessing of Shemoneh Esrei we say, 'O King, Helper, Savior and Shield. Blessed are You, Hashem Shield of Avraham.'  The Schottenstein Edition Siddur for Weekdays With An Interlinear Translation (Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, N.Y. first edition 2002) pp144,145

Our Sages Teach B'nei Yisroel to be extremely careful when repeating this first Blessing of Shemoneh Esrei.  We try to use all our power to concentrate on this IMPORTANT BLESSING.  Why?  Every Jew has a Divine Spark from Avraham.  Every Noachide has a Divine Spark from Noach.  No matter how far one drifts this Divine Spark is NEVER extinguished!  The Divine Spark ALWAYS BECKONS us to return to the Way of Hashem!  But that is not all!

The Gematria of  ˚]l; ˆgEm; ykinOa, I Am your Shield mystically Teaches us.  The Gematria for ˚]r<D<, Deh Rehk meaning Way is 224.  As in [Hashem is the] Way. Or as in [Ha Torah is the] Way... The Way of Hashem is hr:hoF]hæ, Hah Tih Hoh Raw, meaning clean / pure.  We are to walk in purity in cleanness on the path Hashem Has Given us qyDIXækæ, Chah Tzah Deek, meaning, like the righteous.  We we see Avraham we see our great Patriarch on the way.  We see him as righteous.  We see him as clean and pure.  This tells us something about being shielded by Hashem. We in turn should be on the path, the way.  We should be righteous like the righteous.  We should be clean and pure.  Being on the path shields us.  Being righteous shields us.  Being pure shields us.  Ned I say anything about how television programs DISRUPT being on the path, being righteous and being clean and pure.

224 = ˚20 l30  ˆ50 g3 m40  y10 k20 n50 a1

224 = ˚20 r200 d4

224 = h5 r200 h5 f9 h5

224 = q100 y10 d4 x90 k20

If we examine just the word Maw Gayn, meaning shield we notice that the Gematria is 93 which is also the Gematria of ab;x;, Tzaw Vaw, meaning host.  Through out the first several chapters of Bamidbar the word Tzaw Vaw occurs in sixty different verses.  This has to do with each tribe being a force a host. The point being is in gathering together in groups to serve for protection. The Gematria of hl;jænæ, Nah Chah Lawh, meaning inheritance is 93. Part of the inheritance of B'nei Yisroel is Hashem Being our shield.   µk,yjeb]zIw", Vih Zee Vih Chay Chehm, meaning Our Sacred-offerings are like a shield.  These are obligatory offerings.  The obligatory offerings are a Command a Mitzvah.  The point is that in keeping / guarding the Observance we receive a shield.

93 = ˆ50 g3 m40

93 = a1 b2 x90

93 = µ40 k20  y10 j8 b2 z7 w6

93 = h5 l30 j8 n50

May we have the desire and the courage to walk on the path in righteousness and in purity!  May our Observances of Ha Torah and love for the Creator help to protect us!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

Shalom Dear Ones,

We will try a little different type of blogging today that we hope will be better for everyone.  We will begin with this post.  You are invited to post a comment or ask a question about this weeks Limood, Bereisheit 16 anytime.   G-d Willing the Rebbetzin and I will check for your comments and questions every few hours today, 01-11-09.  Feel free to comment on others  comments.

Our intent is to provide a format for learning for B'nai Noach in Ha Torah this week.  Please discuss your interest. Please post your comments TODAY or through out this coming week.  Let's learn together... It is not necessary to answer each question.

Bereisheit 16.1

Bereisheit 16 begins with a comment Avram's wife Sarai had not borne him children.  The custom then was a wife was expected to bear children within 10 years.  If not the husband could divorce his wife.  The husband could take a second wife.  This custom still exists today.

1. How do you feel about this custom?  

Ha Torah Says, 'He {G-d} Will love you and will Bless you, and multiply you; And He Will bless the fruit of your womb...' Devarim Deuteronomy 7.13.

'You [B'nei Yisroel] will be blessed more than all the peoples; there will not be among you a sterile male or barren female...' Devarim 7.14

2. How do you feel about this custom in light of what Ha Torah Says?

Bereisheit 16.3

As a result Sarai took Hagar her handmaid and gave her to Avram her husband to be his wife. 

3. How do you think Sarai felt about this custom?

4. What was Avram's obligation in all this?

Bereisheit 16.5

Sarai said to Avram, ''The insult against me is your fault...''

Bereisheit 16.6

There is friction between Sarai and Hagar.  Hagar runs away.  

5. What was Hagar's obligation?

Bereisheit 16.7

6. What does it mean 'An Angel of Hashem found her...?   Was Hagar lost?  Who was the angel that found her?

Bereisheit 16.8

7. What is the meaning of the Angel inquiring to Hagar, 'From where have you come and where are you going?  Who was Hagar?

Bereisheit 16.9

Hagar was instructed, ' Return to your Mistress and submit yourself to her.'  

8.  How do you feel about this?   How do you think Hagar felt about this?

Bereisheit 16.10 -12

Hashem Uses the Angel to deliver a special message to Hagar.

I Will multiply your descendants...

You will conceive...

You will give birth to a son...

You shall name him Yishmael...

Hashem Has heard your prayer...

There is much to consider here.  Ha Torah mentions that Hagar prayed.  The prayer is not recorded. The prayer was to Hashem.  

9.  What do you think Hagar said in her prayer?

10. What is the meaning of Yishmael?  What is the Gematria of Yishmael?  How does this figure?

Bereisheit 16.13,14

Hagar calls the well 'Be'er Lachai Ro'i'

11. Why?  What is the meaning of this?

Bereisheit 16.15

Hagar has a son.  Avram, names him Yishmael.

12.  How did Avram know what to name his child?

Bereisheit 16.17.

13. Why does Ha Torah give Avram's age at Yishmael's birth?

I look forward to your thoughts, questions and comments.  It is not necessary to answer or comment on each question.  This is a Limood starter. Again, our intent is to provide a format for learning Ha Torah this week.  Where is your interest in this week's Limood.  Please discuss your interest. Please post your comments TODAY or through out this coming week.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

h |B

qd<x,AKil]mæW

Who Is  Malki Tzedek -  The King of Righteousness? ©

If your browser does not open with the Hebrew click here.

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Mordechai Litman,  Mrs. Augusta Student Litman and Mr. Arnold Student Litman and Mr. Will Belk, Mrs Ida Simmons Belk, Mr. George Belk, Mr. Michael Sakash, Mrs Channah Horvat Sakash, Mrs Ethel Channah Sakash Belk,  Donald Wayne Belk, Mr. Gary Lee Belk and may they rest in peace.

Limood

Bereisheit [Genesis] 14.1 - 24

Our Sages Teach that Malki Tzedek was Shem the son of Noach who survived the flood.  How do we know this?  This is discussed in the commentary of the Talmud, Nedarim 32b (9) and other ancient writings. Much of the commentary of the Talmud dates back to the Sages of the first Bet Ha Mikdosh to the Sages of the Great Assembly also known as the Great Sanhedrin.  Those Sages Novim {Prophets} and Scribes of Ha Tenach, what Christians refer to as the Old Testament.  Notable, 'Among them were many prophets, including Chaggai [Haggai] Zecharyah [Zechariah], Malachi, Daniel, Chananiah,  Mishael,  Azariah, Ezra, Nechemiah, Mordechai, and Zerubavel...  History of the Jewish People From Yavneh to Pumbedisa Mesorah Series, (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 97th Impression, 2004) p 34

As a point of interest the Shadrach, Meshach and Abed Nego that steeped out of the fire were also known as Chananiah,  Mishael,  Azariah.  Daniel The Artscroll Tanach Series - Sefar Daniel  (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. First Edition 1979), pp x; 128,129  Also please notice Daniel 1.6,7.

Zechariah lived at the time of the destruction of the first Bet Ha Mikdosh {3338 F. C. } and at the time of the construction of the second Bet Ha Mikdosh.  Why is this significant?  That was 2,431 years ago, 5769 F. C.   - 3338 F. C.  = 2,431.  F. C. means From Creation.  I.e. that is from the creation as stated in Bereisheit 1, 2. The Talmud States that R' Zecharyah said in the name of R' Yishmael[ben Nethaniah]: Originally, the Holy One, Blessed is He, wished for the priesthood to emerge from the descendants of Shem, son of Noach, as it is stated in reference to Shem, 'and he was a priest of G-d, the most High...'  See Bereisheit 14.18

There are several important points to consider.

First, this is the Novie [Prophet] Zechariah who wrote Sefer Zecharyah of our Bible.

Second, he is credited by the Talmud of stating who Malki Tzedek is.  He stated that Malki Tzedek was Shem the son of Noach.  Even though Malki Tzedek's identity as Shem was common knowledge thousands of years ago that information could be lost down through the years so Zechariah stated it.

Third, in Judaism the information of Malki Tzedek has been passed from Teacher to student for thousands of years.  We did not loose sight of who Malki Tzedek was. 

Fourth, there are different spellings for Mah Lih Cee Tzeh Dehk, Malki Tzedek, Malchizedek, Melchizedek and Melchisedec.  These are variations in translations.   In Ha Tenach there are two references to Malki Tzedek, Bereisheit 14.18 and Tehillim [Psalms] 110.4.  In the New Testament there are nine references,  Hebrews 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:1,10,11,15,17 and 21. 

A series of serious differences surround Malki Tzedek. I feel that these differences exist due to a lack of historical knowledge and translation errors from Hebrew to English.  It may be possible to clear up issues by providing additional information.  Let's carefully examine the details. Let's examine Tehillim {Psalms} 110.4. 

Tehillim 110.4

ˆh´àkoAhT...âa' µje%N:yI aOlèw" { hw:!hy" [Bæ¶v]nI

.qd<x≤âAyKil]m' yti%r:b]DIAl[' µl...-/[l] 

English Translation:

Hashem Has Sworn and Will Not rescind [His Oath to Avraham] you are a Kohan {priest} [by dynasty] forever upon the word of Malki Tzedek.

1. Who is Tehillim 110.4 Making reference to? When did Hashem Swear this?

The first Word Tehillim 110.4 is [Bæ¶v]nI Nee Shih Bah, which means 'has sworn' has already taken place. Tehillim 110.4 is making reference to an event that happened between G-d, Malki Tzedek and Avraham in Bereisheit 14.18,19.  The root word of [Bæ¶v]nI Nee Shih Bah is [Bæ¶v] Shih Bah.  It is unusual for the Letter Nun to be added to the front of   [Bæ¶v] Shih Bah.   Placing the Letter Nun at the front of  [Bæ¶v] Shih Bah represents 'What G-d Has Sworn He Will Be Faithful to keep'.  In addition if a human swears it maybe before seven men.  When G-d Swears it is like this is before seventy men.   This shows our Creator's very strong commitment to keep His Oath.  For more information compare the Gematria of 422 for  [Bæ¶v]nI and the Gematria 422 for µy[ib]v Shee Vih Ee, meaning seventy. 

The first time the Word  [Bæ¶v]nI Nee Shih Bah occurs in Ha Torah is in Bereisheit 24.7 where Avraham Says to Eleazer, 'Hashem, G-d of heaven, Who Took me from my father's house, and from the land of my birth, and Who Spoke to me and Who Swore to me...'  This was years after Bereisheit 14.18,19.   This is a challenging situation. Why?  The Action of  Hashem Swearing happened yet we do not have a pin pointed reference to where it happened or to when it happened.   We Observe the Promises of Hashem to Avraham in Bereisheit 12.2,3 yet there is no reference to Hashem Swearing.  Again in Bereisheit 13.14-17 we Observe the Promises of Hashem to Avraham, yet there is no reference to Hashem Swearing.

Tehillim 110.4

ˆh´àkoAhT...âa' µje%N:yI aOlèw" { hw:!hy" [Bæ¶v]nI

.qd<x≤âAyKil]m' yti%r:b]DIAl[' µl...-/[l] 

2. The Writer of Tehillim 110.4 Informs us that not only did Hashem swear to Avraham but Hashem Will Not rescind [His Oath to Avraham].  Hashem's Oath to Avraham is an eternal oath. 

Tehillim 110.4

ˆh´àkoAhT...âa' µje%N:yI aOlèw" { hw:!hy" [Bæ¶v]nI

.qd<x≤âAyKil]m' yti%r:b]DIAl[' µl...-/[l] 

3. Then Hashem Says to Avraham, 'You are a Kohan {Priest} [by dynasty] forever.'  Now if one reads Bereisheit 14.18,19 these Words are not recorded there.  One must question, Where does the Writer of Tehillim 110.4 come up with these Words, 'You are a Kohan {Priest} forever.' ?  Tehillim 110.4 is the only place in all of Ha Tenach where these words are recorded.  Spoken of once in all of Ha Tenach.  As indicated earlier the New Testament mentions this four times.  We now have a second instance where Tehillim 110.4 makes a proclamation that we cannot pin point the reference.  Yet we know these Words, 'You are a Kohan {Priest} forever.' were Spoken by Hashem.

2 Samuel 8.18

 yti`rEK]h'w" [d:+y:/h∞y"AˆB, WŸhy:Ÿn:b]W

.Wyîh; µynIèh}Ko dwI¡d: ynEèb]W yti-leP]h'w"

1 Chronicles 18.17

 dywIèd:AynEb]W yti-leP]h'w" yti`rEK]h'Al[' [d:+y:/h∞y"AˆB, WŸhy:Ÿn:b]W

 .Ël,M≤âh' dy"èl] µynI¡voarIh;

4. Define ˆheko Kohan.   ˆheko Kohan is singular for priest.  µynIhæKO Choh Nah Neem is plural for priests.  'The term kohen [priest] always means one who ministers to Deity except for in specific cases - such as [Bereisheit 41.45]: The ˆheko [chief] of On; and [Exodus 2.16] Jethro the ˆheko [chief] of Midian - where the term denotes one of high rank.' Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series - Bereishis Vol. I(a) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 495 Do we have precedence for this? Yes! 2 Samuel 8.18 Says, '...Dovid's sons were senior ministers.' Notice the Words in red above.  Notice the third Word, µynIhæKO Choh Nah Neem, meaning Priests. Yet here we translate this 'ministers'.  The KJV translates this  'Chief Rulers'.   The NIV says David's sons were royal advisors.  Interesting,  if one looks up 'chief' in the Strong's Concordance for 2 Samuel 8.18 it gives the reference # 3548.  Their they define ˆheko Kohan to include priest, chief ruler, prince, principle officer.  Then in 1 Chronicles 18.17 Ha Tenach uses a different Word to describe Dovid's sons, µynIvoarIh;

Haw Ree Shoh Neem, meaning the chief ministers.  KJV says, chief again.  NIV says,  chief officials.  This establishes that Kohan does not always mean priest. 

5. Why is this important to prove that the Word ˆheko Kohan does NOT always mean priest?  When Tehillim 110.4 Speaks in reference to Avraham as being a Kohan [by dynasty] forever it is important to understand that Avraham's descendants were  Priests through Aharon ben Levi ben Yaakov and kings through Yehudah ben Yaakov.  G-d Willing we will discuss this later.

Tehillim 110.4

ˆh´àkoAhT...âa' µje%N:yI aOlèw" { hw:!hy" [Bæ¶v]nI

.qd<x≤âAyKil]m' yti%r:b]DIAl[' µl...-/[l]

6. Why do we say Avraham was a Kohan [by dynasty] forever?  It is because Avraham is the beginning of  a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role as Kohanim {Priests}  and Melechim {Kings}.  On the second line of Hebrew above the first word is µl;wO[l] Lih Oh Lawm, meaning forever. When Hashem Says or Thinks Avraham is a Kohan forever that represents a dynasty. 

7. Who spoke the Words, 'You are a Kohan [by dynasty] forever.' ?  Were they directly Spoken by Hashem?  Were they spoken through a Malach {Angel}?  Did a Novie {Prophet} speak these Words?  The answer is found in the last four Words of Tehillim 110.4.  '...upon the Word of Malki Tzedek.'  The Words, 'You are a Kohan [by dynasty] forever.'  were not spoken by anyone.  These were perceived!  They eminated from the Mind of Hashem.  Over 2,400 years ago The Novie Zechariah provides us with an explanation. This explanation is quoted in numerious books.  It is astounding that other religious have by in part ignored this.

''[The Prophet] Zechariah said on behalf of Rav Yishmael [ben Nethaniah] that the Holy One, Blessed is He, had intended that the priesthood should stem from Shem the son of Noah [who later assumed the title of Malchizedek.]  But after Malchizedek uttered this blessing, [G-d Decided] that the priesthood should stem from Abraham.  For when Malchizedek blessed Abraham before [G-d],  Abraham had rebuked Malchizedek: =[Saying]. 'Should a servant's blessing be given precedence over his Master's?'

Therefore, [G-d Gave] the priesthood to Abraham.  The [Words] of HASHEM... You shall be a priest forever because of the træB]dI Dee Bih Rawt, words of Malchizedek, who accorded Abraham precedence over Hashem.''  After Tehillim 110.4 Says, 'You are a Kohan [by dynasty] forever upon the Word of Malki Tzedek.' 

Tehillim 110.4

ˆh´àkoAhT...âa' µje%N:yI aOlèw" { hw:!hy" [Bæ¶v]nI

.qd<x≤âAyKil]m' yti%r:b]DIAl[' µl...-/[l]

The Word l[æ Ahl means on, upon, by, on behalf of, on account of, because.  As discussed already the Word ytræB]dI Dee Bih Raw Tee means, 'Words'.  The point is that ytiræB]dIAl[æ Ahl - Dee Bih Raw Tee means 'upon the Words' of Malki Tzedek.   If one wanted to argue that the translation should be after the order of Malki Tzedek as is stated in the New Testament one must substantiate this position.  Uf one looks up the Word Order in Strong's Concordance for Psalms 110.4 the reference is 

# 1700.  Strong's defines hr...b]DI Dee Vih Rawh as meaning, reason, suit or style, end, estate, order or regard.  The correct definition of  hr...b]DI Dee Vih Rawh is Word, cause or reason.  The Word hr...b]DI Dee Vih Rawh is found only three times in all of Ha Tenach. If one examines how the KJV translates hr...b]DI Dee Vih Rawh in Genesis 29.10 and 39.19 the translation is 'spoke'.  In 2 Kings 5.4 the translation is 'said'.   The Word ytræB]d" is found 79 times in Ha Tenach.  Genesis 24.33 told, 28.15; 41.28 spoken, Genesis 42.14 spake, Exodus 20.22 talked,  Exodus 25.22 commune, Numbers 11.17 talk, Numbers 14.35, Said, Numbers 23.26 told,  Numbers 24.12 speak, and Deuteronomy 33.3 Word.  We could go on.  The point is that ytiræB]d" Dee Bih Raw Tee does NOT mean order.  To argue that ytiræB]dIAl[æ Ahl - Dee Bih Raw Tee means after the order of Malki Tzedek ignores what the Prophet Zechariah, what was then common knowledge and what the correct definition of ytiræB]d" Dee Bih Raw Tee is. At the very least the Talmud Gives us a beginning and an ending of Malki Tzedek. He is not from an unknown priesthood.  Malki Tzedek. is not without a father or mother.  Noach was Malki Tzedek's father and Na'amah was his mother.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel