Monthly Archives: September 2013

The Flow of Love

Posted on September 25, 2013 by K. Gallagher

The following model is a decidedly Greek one. Nevertheless, I have chosen this format because those of us raised and educated in Greek thought often have a hard time transitioning to a Hebraic mindset when studying the Scriptures. This is especially true when westerner’s think of God’s love, grace, and Spirit as being opposed to His commandments and Law. My hope is to show you that God’s Holy Law is in no way contrary to His love, mercy, or Spirit. In fact, the Law (Torah) properly applied is the epitome of His grace!

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. (Rom. 7:12)

The flow chart in the figure below begins with LOVE.[1] It is love that is the greatest of all commandments and we know that God is love.[2]

And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. (2Jn. 1:6)

There are two branches that break off of the main heading of love. These two branches are what Yeshua called the greatest commandments.

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Mat. 22:40)

If we look closely at the Ten Commandments,[3] we see that the two tablets express the two greatest commandments in more detail. The first five teach us how to love Adonai[4] and the second five teach us how to love our neighbor. Do we need to be taught how to love God and our neighbor? Apparently, God thinks that we do.

Sometimes we assume that “love” is fully understood by all people. But, love is not always a universal concept. For example, a degraded or unregenerate mind can easily misconstrue love with lust and commit heinous acts of rape, incest, or pedophilia. This type of twisting can even happen on less disastrous levels when we simply “assume” that someone will like something merely by the fact that we ourselves do. In other words, do unto others as you would have them do unto you —- unless you are a pervert or degenerate! All kidding aside, it is reasonable to ask: “How do we love?”

How do we love YHWH (the LORD) and how do we love our neighbor? The Ten Commandments answer these questions. But even these ten can leave some ambiguity when we try to obey them. This is what the remaining 603 commandments in the Torah (Law) explain for us. The Rabbis have long counted out 613 distinct commandments within the Torah. There are 365 positive (do’s) and 248 negative (do not’s) commandments.

What?! There are 613 laws? Who could possibly keep that many statutes?[5] The English idea of “Law” is often thought of as harsh and rigid. So much so that grace is usually contrasted with Law. But perhaps we should allow the Bible to define our perception of God’s Law. The Hebrew word Torah,[6] translated as Law, actually means “instructions.” These are the instructions that Adonai sovereignly and lovingly gave His people. The Torah was never meant to burden God’s people; it was meant to bless and prosper them (and us).[7]

Confusion abounds when we misunderstand the function of the Law/Torah. Adonai never intended for His instructions or law to be the means by which He saved the children of Israel or us. There is a great analogy used by James[8] that we can use to express this. When you look into the mirror (the Law), it shows you your blemishes. You wouldn’t take the mirror off the wall and try to wash your face with it, would you?[9] The function of the mirror is to simply show you where the dirt is; it can never clean you. But, you have a choice of whether to wash your face or not. James compares those that are hearers and not doers of the word to someone who looks into the mirror (the Torah) and then does nothing about the dirt on his face.

In other words, salvation was NEVER the function of God’s Torah. It simply explains to you what sin is and is not. You choose to walk in holiness by being obedient, or you choose to walk contrary. God’s desire is for us to “see” where we have missed the mark and then adjust our walk accordingly. Repentance is not just saying, “I’m sorry.” It also requires one to align their life with Adonai’s standards. Nevertheless, there have always been some that try to use the mirror to wash their face. Adonai provided the soap (the Lamb) that cleanses us at the very beginning.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8 KJV)

We should be rejoicing that our loving Heavenly Father cares enough about us that He gave us all the instructions we need to lead a blessed and holy life. But this gift can never save or wash us clean. So, if we find that we have animosity toward God’s instructions, perhaps we need to search our hearts for the root of this contempt; for it does not originate from the Holy Spirit. We should be able to agree with Paul and David:

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. (Rom. 3:31)

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law (Torah) is truth. (Ps. 119:142)

I long for Your salvation (Yeshua), O LORD, And Your law (Torah) is my delight. (Ps. 119:174)

Before we get to the flow chart, let’s establish a few more facts. Due to the nature of the commandments, no one person can keep every law. This is because some commandments deal particularly with men. If you are a woman, it is impossible to keep regulations that speak of night seminal emissions. Likewise, a man can never keep the commands relating to a woman’s menstrual flow. There are also many statutes that are directed to the Levitical priesthood. If you are not a Levite from the line of Aaron, many commandments simply aren’t applicable to you. Moreover, there are commandments that require a person to be living in the land of Israel with a functioning Temple in place for fulfillment. Believe it or not, these restrictions knock out a ton of the 613 mitzvot. Is the “yoke” feeling lighter?

Speaking of yokes, it is a very sad thing that we consider God’s Law to be an unbearable yoke. This must grieve our Father. I know it would grieve me if my son considered the rules of my house to be an “unbearable” yoke that only brought misery to his life. My house rules are outlined to protect my son because I love him. If only we could come to our Father as a little child and trust that He really does know what is best for us. And, that His desire is not to take all the fun out life, but to prosper and prolong our days.

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat. 11:30)

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. (1Jn. 5:3)

So what is our real burden? What is a yoke that is “unbearable”? SIN! When we break or transgress God’s law, it brings terrible consequences into our lives. Moreover, any time we allow manmade laws and traditions to supersede the simplicity of the Word, we become yoked with other type of bondage. We see both of these “enemies” exposed and dealt with in the Brit Chadashah (N.T.). But, even God’s holy law can be used as weapon instead of a blessing if it is not applied properly. LOVE must be the motivation and the desire behind our obedience. Any time our motive is self-righteousness we have moved into the realm of sin.

This is also true when we are leading or teaching others about Adonai and His commandments. We can never demand obedience, for then the student’s motivation would be either to please us or their own fears. Yes, love is the greatest commandment of all. Our flow chart begins like this:

Now, let’s break our first branch (Love YHWH) down into the first five of the Ten Commandments.

1^st Tablet (Love the LORD) Ex. 20:1-12

Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (vs. 1-2)
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (vs. 3-6)
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. (vs. 7)
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. (vs. 8-11)
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you. (vs. 12) [Please refer to footnote number 4 for why this applies to loving God])

2^nd Tablet (Love your Neighbor) Ex. 20:13-17

“You shall not murder. (vs. 13)
“You shall not commit adultery. (vs. 14)
“You shall not steal. (vs. 15)
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (vs. 16)
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (vs. 17)

Each of these commandments instructs in one way or another about HOW one is to “love” the LORD or our their neighbor. If we continued our flow chart, the remaining 603 commandments would fall under one of these two primary categories or headlines. For the sake of time, I haven’t categorized these commandments. (Perhaps, another day!) But, I have copied and pasted the full list of the 613 commandments. They are divided between the positive (do’s) and negative (do not’s) mitzvot. As you read through them, answer for yourself whether the commandment has to do with loving Adonai or loving your neighbor. Also, consider whether or not the commandment can be kept today or whether it is applicable to you. Rebuke any spirit that provokes you to try to justify NOT being obedient. Prayerfully ask the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to convict you of sin committed in ignorance and ask for His guidance in becoming more obedient for the sake of love.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. (Ecc. 12:13)

The Complete List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments)

The 248 Positive Mitzvot: “The Do’s”

Relationship to God

1 To believe in God. Shemot (Exodus) 20:2
2 To acknowledge the Unity of God. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:4
3 To love God. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:5
4 To fear God. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:13
5 To serve God. Shemot (Exodus) 23:25; Devarim (Deuteronomy) 11:13; 13:4
6 To cleave to God. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 10:20
7 On taking an oath by God’s Name. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 10:20
8 On walking in God’s ways. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:9
9 On Sanctifying God’s Name. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:32

Torah

10 Recite the Sh’ma each morning and evening. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:7
11 Study and Teaching Torah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:7
12 Bind Tefillin on the head. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:8
13 Bind Tefillin on the hand. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:8
14 Make Tzitzit with thread of blue, garments corners. Bamidbar (Numbers) 15:38
15 Affix a Mezuzah to doorposts and gates. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:9
16 Assemble each 7th year to hear the Torah read. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 31:12
17 A king must write a copy of Torah for himself. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:18
18 Everyone should have a Torah scroll. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 31:19
19 Praise God after eating, Grace after meals. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 8:10

Temple and the Priests

20 On building a Sanctuary / (Tabernacle / Temple) for God. Shemot (Exodus) 25:8
21 Respect the Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:30
22 On guarding the Sanctuary. Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:4
23 On Levitical services in the Tabernacle. Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:23
24 On Cohanim (Priests) washing hands and feet before entering Temple. Shemot (Exodus) 30:19
25 On kindling the Menorah by the Cohanim (Priests). Shemot (Exodus) 27:21
26 On the Cohanim (Priests) blessing Israel. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:23
27 On the Showbread before the Ark. Shemot (Exodus) 25:30
28 On Burning the Incense on the Golden Altar twice daily. Shemot (Exodus) 30:7
29 On the perpetual fire on the Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:13
30 On removing the ashes from the Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:10
31 On removing unclean persons from the camp. Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:2
32 On honoring the Cohanim (Priests). Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:8
33 On the garments of the Cohanim (Priests). Shemot (Exodus) 28:2
34 On Cohanim (Priests) bearing the Ark on their shoulders. Bamidbar (Numbers) 7:9
35 On the holy anointing oil. Shemot (Exodus) 30:31
36 On the Cohanim (Priests) ministering in rotation / watches. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:6-8
37 On the Cohanim (Priests) being defiled for dead relatives. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:2-3
38 On that Cohen haGadol (High Priest) may only marry a virgin. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:13

Sacrifices

39 On the twice Daily Burnt, tamid, offerings. Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:3
40 On Cohen haGadol’s (High Priest) twice daily meal offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:20
41 On the Shabbat additional, musaf, offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:9
42 On the New Moon, Rosh Chodesh, additional offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:11
43 On Pesach (Passover) additional offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:36
44 On the second day of Pesach (Passover) meal offering of the Omer (Counting). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:15
45 On Shavuot (Pentecost) additional, musaf, offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:26
46 On the Two Loaves of bread Wave offering on Shavuot (Pentecost). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:17
47 On Rosh HaShannah (Head of Year) additional offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 29:1-2
48 On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) additional offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 29:7-8
49 On the service of Yom Kippur, Avodah. Vayikra (Leviticus) 16
50 On Sukkot, musaf, offerings. Bamidbar (Numbers) 29:13
51 On the Shemini Atzeret additional offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 29:36
52 On the three annual Festival pilgrimages to the Temple. Shemot (Exodus) 23:14
53 On appearing before YHVH during the Festivals. Shemot (Exodus) 34:23
54 On rejoicing on the Festivals. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:14
55 On the 14th of Nisan slaughtering the Pesach (Passover) lamb. Shemot (Exodus) 12:6
56 On eating the roasted Pesach (Passover) lamb night of Nisan 15th. Shemot (Exodus) 12:8
57 On slaughtering the Pesach (Passover) Sheini, Iyyar 14th, offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 9:11
58 On eating the Pesach (Passover) Sheini lamb with Matzah and Maror. Bamidbar (Numbers) 9:11
59 Trumpets for Feast sacrifices brought and for tribulation. Bamidbar (Numbers) 10:9-10
60 On minimum age of cattle to be offered. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:27
61 On offering only unblemished sacrifices. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:21
62 On bringing salt with every offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 2:13
63 On the Burnt-Offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 1:2
64 On the Sin-Offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:25
65 On the Guilt-Offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:1
66 On the Peace-Offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 3:1
67 On the Meal-Offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 2:1
68 On offerings for a Court (Sanhedrin) that has erred. Vayikra (Leviticus) 4:13
69 Fixed Sin-Offering, by one unknowingly breaking a commandment. Vayikra (Leviticus) 4:27
70 Suspensive Guilt-Offering if doubt of breaking a commandment. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:17
71 Unconditional Guilt-Offering, for stealing, etc. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:15
72 Offering higher or lower value, according to ones means. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:11
73 To confess one’s sins before God and repent from them. Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:6-7
74 On offering brought by a zav (man with a discharge). Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:13
75 Offering brought by a zavah (woman with a discharge). Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:28
76 On offering brought by a woman after childbirth. Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:6
77 On offering brought by a leper after being cleansed. Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:10
78 On the Tithe of one’s cattle. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:32
79 Sacrificing the First-born of clean (permitted) cattle. Shemot (Exodus) 13:2
80 On Redeeming the First-born of man, Pidyon ha-ben. Shemot (Exodus) 22:29
81 On Redeeming the firstling of an ass, if not… Shemot (Exodus) 34:20
82 …breaking the neck of the firstling of an ass. Shemot (Exodus) 13:13
83 On bringing due offerings to Jerusalem without delay. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:5
84 All offerings must be brought only to the Sanctuary. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:14
85 On offerings due from outside Israel to the Sanctuary. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:26
86 On Redeeming blemished sanctified animal offerings. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:15
87 On the holiness of substituted animal offerings. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:33
88 On Cohanim (Priests) eating the remainder of the Meal Offerings. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:9
89 On Cohanim (Priests) eating the meat of Sin and Guilt Offerings. Shemot (Exodus) 29:33
90 Burn Consecrated Offerings that’ve become tameh/unclean. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:19
91 Burn remnant of Consecrated Offerings not eaten in time. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:17

Vows

92 The Nazirite letting his hair grow during his separation. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:5
93 Nazirite completing vow shaves his head and brings sacrifice. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:18
94 On that a man must honor his oral vows and oaths. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:21
95 On that a judge can annul vows, only according to Torah. Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:8

Ritual Purity

96 Defilement by touching certain animal carcasses, and… Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:8
97 …by touching carcasses of eight creeping creatures. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:29
98 Defilement of food and drink, if contacting unclean thing. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:34
99 On Tumah (unclean) of a menstruant woman. Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:19
100 On Tumah (unclean) of a woman after childbirth. Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:2
101 On Tumah (unclean) of a leper. Vayikra (Leviticus) 13:3
102 On garments contaminated by leprosy. Vayikra (Leviticus) 13:51
103 On a leprous house. Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:44
104 On Tumah (unclean) of a zav (man with a running issue). Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:2
105 On Tumah (unclean) of semen. Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:6
106 Tumah (unclean) of a zavah (woman suffering from a running issue). Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:19
107 On Tumah (unclean) of a human corpse. Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:14
108 Law of the purification water of sprinkling, mei niddah. Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:13
109 On immersing in a mikveh to become ritually clean. Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:16
110 On the specified procedure of cleansing from leprosy. Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:2
111 On that a leper must shave his head. Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:9
112 On that the leper must be made easily distinguishable. Vayikra (Leviticus) 13:45
113 On Ashes of the Red Heifer, used in ritual purification. Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:2

Donations to the Temple

114 On the valuation for a person himself to the Temple. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:2
115 On the valuation for an unclean beast to the Temple. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:11
116 On the valuation of a house as a donation to the Temple. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:14
117 On the valuation of a field as a donation to the Temple. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:16
118 If benefit from Temple property, restitution plus 1/5th. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:16
119 On the fruits of the trees fourth year’s growth. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:24
120 On leaving the corners (Peah) of fields for the poor. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:9
121 On leaving gleanings of the field for the poor. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:9
122 On leaving the forgotten sheaf for the poor. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:19
123 On leaving the misformed grape clusters for the poor. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:10
124 On leaving grape gleanings for the poor. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:10
125 On separating and bringing First-fruits to the Sanctuary. Shemot (Exodus) 23:19
126 To separate the great Heave-offering (terumah). Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:4
127 To set aside the first tithe to the Levites. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:29
128 To set aside the second tithe, eaten only in Jerusalem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:22
129 On Levites’ giving tenth of their tithe to the Cohanim (High Priests). Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:26
130 To set aside the poor-man’s tithe in 3rd and 6th year. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:28
131 A declaration made when separating the various tithes. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 26:13
132 A declaration made bringing First-fruits to the Temple. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 26:2
133 On the first portion of the Challah given to the Cohen (Priest). Bamidbar (Numbers) 15:20

The Sabbatical Year

134 On ownerless produce of the Sabbatical year (shemittah). Shemot (Exodus) 23:11
135 On resting the land on the Sabbatical year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:4
136 On sanctifying the Jubilee (50th) year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:10
137 Blow Shofar on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) in the Jubilee and slaves freed. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:9
138 Reversion of the land to ancestral owners in Jubilee year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:25
139 On the redemption of a house within a year of the sale. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:24
140 Counting and announcing the years till the Jubilee year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:8
141 All debts are annulled in the Sabbatical year, but… Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:3
142 …one may exact a debt owed by a foreigner. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:3

Concerning Animals for Consumption

143 The Cohen’s (Priest’s) due in the slaughter of every clean animal. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:3
144 On the first of the fleece to be given to the Cohen (Priest). Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:4
145 (Cherem vow) one devoted thing to God, other to Cohanim (Priest). Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:21
146 Slaughtering animals, according to Torah, before eating. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:21
147 Covering with earth the blood of slain fowl and beast. Vayikra (Leviticus) 17:13
148 On setting free the parent bird when taking the nest. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:7
149 Searching for prescribed signs in beasts, for eating. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:2
150 Searching for the prescribed signs in birds, for eating. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:11
151 Searching for prescribed signs in locusts, for eating. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:21
152 Searching for the prescribed signs in fish, for eating. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:9

Festivals

153 Sanhedrin to sanctify New Moon, and reckon years and seasons. Shemot (Exodus) 12:2
154 On resting on Shabbat. Shemot (Exodus) 23:12 –
155 On declaring Shabbat holy at its onset and termination. Shemot (Exodus) 20:8
156 On removal of chametz (leaven), on (Nisan 14th) Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 12:15
157 Tell of Shemot (Exodus) from Egypt 1st night Pesach (Passover), (Nisan 15th). Shemot (Exodus) 13:8
158 On eating Matzah the first night of Pesach (Passover), (Nisan 15th). Shemot (Exodus)12:18
159 On resting on the first day of Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 12:16
160 On resting on the seventh day of Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 12:16
161 Count the Omer (Counting) 49 days from day of first sheaf, Nisan 16. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:15
162 On resting on Shavuot (Pentecost). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:21
163 On resting on Rosh HaShannah (Head of Year). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:24
164 On fasting on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:29
165 On resting on Yom Kippur. Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:29
166 On resting on the first day of Sukkot. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:35
167 On resting on (the 8th day) Shemini Atzeret. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:36
168 On dwelling in a Sukkah (Booths) for seven days. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:42
169 On taking a Lulav (the four species) on Sukkot. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:40
170 On hearing the sound of the Shofar on Rosh HaShannah (Head of Year). Bamidbar (Numbers) 29:1

Community

171 On every male giving half a shekel annually to Temple. Shemot (Exodus) 30:12
172 On heeding the Prophets. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:15
173 On appointing a king. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:15
174 On obeying the Great Court (Sanhedrin). Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:11
175 On in case of division, abiding by a majority decision. Shemot (Exodus) 23:2
176 Appointing Judges and Officers of the Court in every town. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:18
177 Treating litigants equally / impartially before the law. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:15
178 Anyone aware of evidence must come to court to testify. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:1
179 The testimony of witnesses shall be examined thoroughly. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:14
180 False witnesses punished, as they intended upon accused. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 19:19
181 On Eglah Arufah, on the heifer when murderer unknown. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:4
182 On establishing Six Cities of Refuge. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 19:3
183 Give cities to Levites – who’ve no ancestral land share. Bamidbar (Numbers) 35:2
184 Build fence on roof, remove potential hazards from home. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:8

Idolatry

185 On destroying all idolatry and its appurtenances. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:2
186 The law about a city that has become apostate / perverted. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:16
187 On the law about destroying the seven Canaanite nations. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 20:17
188 On the extinction of the seed of Amalek. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:19
189 On remembering the evil deeds of Amalek to Israel. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:17

War

190 Regulations for wars other than ones commanded in Torah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 20:11
191 Cohen for special duties in war. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 20:2
192 Prepare place beyond the camp, so to keep sanitary and… Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:14
193 …so include a digging tool among war implements. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:13

Social

194 On a robber to restore the stolen article to its owner. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:4
195 On to give charity to the poor. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:8
196 On giving gifts to a Hebrew bondman upon his freedom. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:14
197 On lending money to the poor without interest. Shemot (Exodus) 22:25
198 On lending money to the foreigner with interest. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:20
199 On restoring a pledge to its owner if he needs it. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:13
200 On paying the worker his wages on time. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:15
201 Employee is allowed to eat the produce he’s working in. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:24
202 On helping unload when necessary a tired animal. Shemot (Exodus) 23:5
203 On assisting a man loading his beast with its burden. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:4
204 On that lost property must be returned to its owner. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:1
205 On being required to reprove the sinner. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:17
206 On love your neighbor as yourself. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:18
207 On being commanded to love the convert / proselyte. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 10:19
208 On the law of accurate weights and measures. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:36

Family

209 On honoring the old (and wise). Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:32
210 On honoring parents. Shemot (Exodus) 20:12
211 On fearing parents. Vayikra (Leviticus)19:3
212 On to be fruitful and multiply. Bereshit (Genesis)1:28
213 On the law of marriage. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:1
214 On bridegroom devotes himself to his wife for one year. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:5
215 On circumcising one’s son. Bereshit (Genesis)17:10
216 If a man dies childless his brother marry widow, or… Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:5
217 …release her / the-widow Chalitzah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:9
218 A violator must marry the virgin / maiden he has violated. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:29
219 The defamer of his bride is flogged and may never divorce. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:18
220 On the seducer must be punished according to the law. Shemot (Exodus) 22:16
221 Captive women treated according to special regulations. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:11
222 The law of divorce, only be means of written document. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:1
223 Suspected adulteress has to submit to the required test. Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:15

Judicial

224 On whipping transgressors of certain commandments. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:2
225 On exile to city of refuge for unintentional homicide. Bamidbar (Numbers) 35:25
226 On punishment of transgressors of certain commandments. Shemot (Exodus) 21:20
227 On strangling transgressors of certain commandments. Shemot (Exodus) 21:16
228 On burning transgressors of certain commandments. Vayikra (Leviticus) 20:14
229 On stoning transgressors of certain commandments. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:24
230 Hang after execution, violators of certain commandments. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:22
231 On burial on the same day of execution. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:23

Slaves

232 On the special laws for treating the Hebrew bondman. Shemot (Exodus) 21:2
233 Hebrew bondmaid married to her master or his son, or… Shemot (Exodus) 21:8, 9
234 …allow the redemption to the Hebrew bondmaid. Shemot (Exodus) 21:9
235 On the laws for treating an alien bondman. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:46

Torts

236 On the penalty for a person inflicting injury. Shemot (Exodus) 21:19
237 On the law of injuries caused by an animal. Shemot (Exodus) 21:28
238 On the law of injuries caused by an pit. Shemot (Exodus) 21:33
239 On the law of punishment of thieves. Shemot (Exodus) 22:1
240 On the law of a judgement for damage caused by a beast. Shemot (Exodus) 22:5
241 On the law of a judgement for damage caused by a fire. Shemot (Exodus) 22:6
242 On the law of an unpaid guardian. Shemot (Exodus) 22:7
243 On the law of a paid guardian. Shemot (Exodus) 22:11
244 On the law of a borrower. Shemot (Exodus) 22:14
245 On the law of buying and selling. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:14
246 On the law of litigants. Shemot (Exodus) 22:9
247 Save life of one pursued. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:1
248 On the law of inheritance. Bamidbar (Numbers) 27:8

The 365 Negative Mitzvot: “The Don’ts”

Idolatry and Related Practices

1 No other gods before me. Shemot (Exodus) 20:3
2 Not to make graven images. Shemot (Exodus) 20:4
3 Not to make an idol (even for others) to worship. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:4
4 Not to make figures of human beings. Shemot (Exodus) 20:4
5 Not to bow down to an idol. Shemot (Exodus) 20:5
6 Not to serve idols. Shemot (Exodus) 20:5
7 Not to hand over any children to Molech. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:21
8 Not to seek after wizards. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:31
9 Not to regard them that have familiar spirits. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:31
10 Not to study idolatrous practices. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:4
11 Not to erect an image which people assemble to honor. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:22
12 No figured stones to bow down to. Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:1
13 Not to plant trees near the altar. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:21
14 Make no mention of other gods. Shemot (Exodus) 23:13
15 Not to divert anyone to idolatry. Shemot (Exodus) 23:13
16 Not to try to persuade a Jew to worship idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:12, 13
17 Not to love someone who seeks to mislead you to idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:8
18 Not to relax one’s aversion to the misleader to idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:9
19 Not to save the life of a misleader to idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:9
20 Not to plead for (defend) the misleader to idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:9
21 Not to oppress evidence unfavorable to the misleader. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:9
22 No benefit from ornaments which have adorned an idol. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:25
23 Rebuild not a city destroyed as punishment for idolatry. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:16
24 Not deriving benefit from property of an apostate city. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:17
25 Do not use anything connected with idols or idolatry. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:26
26 Not prophesying in the name of idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:20
27 Not prophesying falsely in the Name of God. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:20
28 Listen not to one who prophesies in the name of idols. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:3
29 Not fearing or refraining from killing a false prophet. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:20
30 Imitate not the ways nor practice customs of idolaters. Vayikra (Leviticus) 20:23
31 Not practicing divination (Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:10). Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:26
32 Not practicing soothsaying. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:10
33 Not practicing enchanting. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:10
34 Not practicing sorcery. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:10
35 Not practicing the art of the charmer. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:11
36 Not consulting a necromancer. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:10
37 Not consulting a sorcerer. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:11
38 Not to seek information from the dead, necromancy. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:11
39 Women not to wear men’s clothes or adornments. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:5
40 Men not wearing women’s clothes or adornments. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:5
41 Not tattoo yourself, as is the manner of the idolaters. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:28
42 Not wearing a mixture of wool and linen. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:11
43 Not shaving the temples or sides of your head. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:27
44 Not shaving the corners of your beard. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:27
45 Not making cuttings in your flesh over your dead. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:28

Prohibitions Resulting from Historical Events

46 Not returning to Egypt to dwell there permanently. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:16
47 Not to follow one’s heart or eyes, straying to impurity. Bamidbar (Numbers) 15:39
48 Not to make a pact with the Seven Canaanite Nations. Shemot (Exodus) 23:32
49 Not to spare the life of the Seven Canaanite Nations. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 20:16
50 Not to show mercy to idolaters. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:2
51 No one serving false gods to settle in the Land of Israel. Shemot (Exodus) 23:33
52 Not to intermarry with one serving false gods. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:3
53 Not to enter the congregation, an Ammonite or Moabite. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:3
54 Exclude not marrying a descendant of Esau if a proselyte. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:8
55 Not to exclude marrying an Egyptian who is a proselyte. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:8
56 Not permitted to make peace with Ammon and Moab nations. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:6
57 Not destroying fruit trees, even in time of war. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 20:19
58 Not fearing the enemy in time of war. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:21
59 Blot out the remembrance of Amalek. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:19

Blasphemy

60 Not blaspheming the Holy Name of God. Vayikra (Leviticus) 24:16
61 Not violating an oath by the Holy Name. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:12
62 Not taking the Holy Name in vain. Shemot (Exodus) 20:7
63 Not profaning the Holy Name of God. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:32
64 Not tempting God’s promises and warnings. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:16
65 Do not destroy houses of worship or holy books of HaShem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:3,4
66 Leave not body of executed criminal hanging overnight. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:23

Temple

67 Be not lax in guarding the Sanctuary. Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:5
68 High Priest enter Sanctuary only at prescribed times. Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:2
69 Cohen (priest) with blemish come near to Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:23
70 Cohen (priest) with a blemish not to minister in the Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:17
71 Cohen (priest) with temporary blemish minister not in Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:18
72 Levites and Cohanim not to interchange in their functions. Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:3
73 Drunk persons may not enter Sanctuary or teach Torah. Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:9
74 A non-Cohen (priest) not to minister in Sanctuary. Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:4
75 A unclean Cohen (priest) not to minister in Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:2
76 A defiled Cohen (priest), not to minister in Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:6
77 A leper not to enter any part of Temple. Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:2
78 No unclean person may enter camp of Levites. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:11
79 Build not an Altar of stones which were touched by iron. Shemot (Exodus) 20:25
80 Not to have an ascent to the Altar by steps. Shemot (Exodus) 20:26
81 Not to extinguish the Altar fire. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:13
82 Offer nothing, but specified incense, on Golden Altar. Shemot (Exodus) 30:9
83 Not to make any oil the same as the Oil of Anointment. Shemot (Exodus) 30:32
84 Anoint none with special oil except Cohen Gadol (High Priest) and King. Shemot (Exodus) 30:32
85 Not to make incense same as burnt on Altar in Sanctuary. Shemot (Exodus) 30:37
86 Not to remove the staves from their rings in the Ark. Shemot (Exodus) 25:15
87 Not to remove the Breastplate from the Ephod. Shemot (Exodus) 28:28
88 Make not any incision in Cohen haGadol’s (High Priest’s) upper garment. Shemot (Exodus) 28:32

Sacrifices

89 Offer not sacrifices outside Sanctuary (Temple) Court. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:13
90 Slaughter not consecrated animals outside Temple Court. Vayikra (Leviticus) 17:3-4
91 Dedicate not a blemished animal to be offered on Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:20
92 Not to slaughter a blemished animal as a korban (sacrifice). Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:22
93 Not to dash the blood of a blemished beast on the Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:24
94 Not to burn the inner parts of blemished beast on Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:22
95 Not to sacrifice a beast with a temporary blemish. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:1
96 Not to offer a blemished sacrifice of a gentile. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:25
97 Not to cause a consecrated offering to become blemished. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:21
98 Not to offer leaven or honey upon the Altar. Vayikra (Leviticus) 2:11
99 Not to offer a sacrifice without salt. Vayikra (Leviticus) 2:13
100 Offer not on Altar: “hire of harlot” or “price of dog”. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:18
101 Not to slaughter an animal and its young on the same day. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:28
102 Not to put olive oil on the sin meal-offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:11
103 Not to put frankincense on the sin meal-offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:11
104 Not to put olive oil on the jealousy offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:15
105 Not to put frankincense on the jealousy offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:15
106 Not to substitute sacrifices. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:10
107 Redeem not the firstborn of permitted (clean) animals. Bamidbar (Numbers) 18:17
108 Not to change sacrifices from one category to the other. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:33
109 Not to sell the tithe of the herd of cattle. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:33
110 Not to sell a devoted field. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:28
111 Not to redeem a devoted (by the Cherem vow) field. Vayikra (Leviticus) 27:28
112 Not to split head of bird slaughtered for Sin-offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 5:8
113 Not to do any work with a dedicated beast. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:19
114 Not to shear a dedicated beast. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:19
115 Slaughter not Pesach (Passover) lamb with chametz (leaven). Shemot (Exodus) 34:25
116 Leave not sacrificial portions of Pesach (Passover) lamb overnight. Shemot (Exodus) 12:10
117 Allow not meat of Pesach (Passover) lamb to remain till morning. Shemot (Exodus) 12:10
118 No meat of Nisan 14th Festive Offering remain till day 3. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:4
119 No meat of 2nd Pesach (Passover) lamb Offering remain till morning. Bamidbar (Numbers) 9:12
120 No meat of Thanksgiving Offering to remain till morning. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:30
121 Not to break any bones of Pesach (Passover) lamb offering. Shemot (Exodus) 12:46
122 Not to break any bones of 2nd Pesach (Passover) lamb offering. Bamidbar (Numbers) 9:12
123 Not to remove Pesach (Passover) offering from where it is eaten. Shemot (Exodus) 12:46
124 Not to bake the residue of a meal offering with leaven Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:17
125 Not to eat the Pesach (Passover) offering boiled or raw. Shemot (Exodus) 12:9
126 Not to allow an alien resident to eat Pesach (Passover) offering. Shemot (Exodus) 12:45
127 An uncircumcised person may not eat the Pesach (Passover) offering. Shemot (Exodus) 12:48
128 Not to allow an stranger to eat the Pesach (Passover) offering. Shemot (Exodus) 12:43
129 Tameh (ritually unclean) person may not eat holy things. Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:4
130 Eat not meat of consecrated things that have become unclean. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:19
131 Not to eat sacrificial meat beyond the second day. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:6,7
132 Eat not sacrificial meat on third day. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:18
133 A stranger or non-Cohen may not eat of holy thing. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:10
134 A Cohen ‘s (Priest’s) sojourner or hired worker may not eat holy thing. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:10
135 An uncircumcised person may not eat holy thing. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:10
136 A Tameh (ritually unclean) Cohen may not eat terumah (holy things). Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:4
137 A Bat-Cohen (priest’s daughter) if married to non-Cohen not to eat holy food. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:12
138 Not to eat the Meal-offering of a Cohen (Priest). Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:16
139 Eat not Sin-offering meat sacrificed within Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:23
140 Not to eat consecrated animals that have become blemished. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:3
141 Eat not unredeemed 2nd corn tithe outside Jerusalem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
142 Consume not unredeemed 2nd wine tithe outside Jerusalem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
143 Consume not unredeemed 2nd oil tithe outside Jerusalem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
144 Eat not an unblemished firstling outside Jerusalem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
145 Eat not sin or guilt offerings outside Sanctuary court. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
146 Not to eat the meat of the burnt offering at all. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
147 Eat not lesser sacrifices before blood dashed on Altar. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
148 Azar / non- Cohen is not to eat the most holy offerings. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:17
149 A Cohen (Priest) not to eat First Fruits outside Temple courts. Shemot (Exodus) 29:33
150 Not giving 2nd tithe while in state of impurity. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 26:14
151 Not eating the 2nd tithe while in mourning. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 26:14
152 Not giving the 2nd tithe for the dead. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 26:14
153 Not eating untithed produce. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:15
154 Not changing the order of separating the various tithes. Shemot (Exodus) 22:29
155 Delay not payment of offerings, freewill or obligatory. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:21
156 Go not to Temple on Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles without offering. Shemot (Exodus) 23:15
157 Not to break your word, even if without an oath. Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:2

Priests

158 A Cohen (Priest) may not marry a harlot. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:7
159 A Cohen (Priest) marry not a woman profaned from the Priesthood. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:7
160 A Cohen (Priest) may not marry a divorcee. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:7
161 Cohen haGadol (high priest) may not marry a widow. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:14
162 Cohen haGadol (high priest) may not take a widow as a concubine. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:15
163 Cohen (Priest) may not enter the Sanctuary with uncovered head. Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:6
164 Cohen (Priest) wearing rent garments may not enter Sanctuary. Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:6
165 Cohanim (Priests) leave not Temple courtyard during the service. Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:7
166 No Cohanim (Priests) must not be defiled for dead, except for his next of kin. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1
167 Cohen haGadol (High Priest) may not be under one roof with dead body. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:11
168 Cohen haGadol (High Priest) must not be defiled for any dead person. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:11
169 Levites have not part in the division of Israel’s land. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:1
170 Levites share not in the spoils of war. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:1
171 Not to tear out hair for the dead. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:1

Dietary Laws

172 Not to eat any unclean animal. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:7
173 Not to eat any unclean fish. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:11
174 Not to eat any unclean fowl. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:13
175 Not to eat any creeping winged insect. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:19
176 Not to eat anything which creeps on the earth. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:41
177 Not to eat creeping thing that is undefiled. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:44
178 Not to eat living creatures that goeth on belly. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:42
179 Not to eat any abominable creature. Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:43
180 Not to eat any animal which died naturally, a nevelah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:21
181 Not to eat an animal which is torn or mauled, a treifah. Shemot (Exodus) 22:31
182 Not to eat any limb taken from a living animal. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:23
183 Not to eat the sinew of the thigh-vein, (gid ha-nasheh). Bereshit (Genesis) 32:32
184 Not to eat blood. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:26
185 Not to eat certain types of fat of clean animal, chelev. Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:23
186 Not to boil young male goat (meat) in its mother’s milk. Shemot (Exodus) 23:19
187 Not to eat young male goat cooked in its mother’s milk. Shemot (Exodus) 34:26
188 Not to eat the flesh of a condemned and to be stoned ox. Shemot (Exodus) 21:28
189 Eat not bread made from grain of new crop, before bringing an offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:14
190 Eat not roasted grain of new crop, before bringing an offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:14
191 Eat not green ears of new crop, before bringing an offering. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:14
192 Not to eat of the fruit of trees till the forth year, orlah. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:23
193 Eat not growth of mixed vineyard planting, kilai hakerem. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:9
194 Not to use wine libations for idols, yayin nesach. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 32:38
195 No eating or drinking to excess, gluttony and drunkenness. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:20
196 Not to eat anything on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:29
197 Not to eat chametz, leaven, on Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 13:3
198 Not to eat an admixture of chametz / leaven on Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 13:7
199 Not to eat chametz / leaven, after noon of 14th Nisan. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:3
200 No chametz / leaven may be seen in our homes during Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 13:7
201 Not to possess chametz / leaven, during Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 12:19

Nazirites

202 A Nazirite may not drink wine or any beverage from grapes. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:3
203 A Nazirite may not eat fresh grapes. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:3
204 A Nazirite may not eat dried grapes. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:3
205 A Nazirite may not eat grape seeds / kernels. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:4
206 A Nazirite may not eat grape peels / husks. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:4
207 Nazirite may not rend himself tameh (unclean) for the dead. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:7
208 Nazirite must not become tameh entering house with corpse. Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:11
209 A Nazirite must not shave his hair. Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:5

Agriculture

210 Reap not a whole field without leaving corners for poor. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:22
211 Not to gather ears of grain that fell during harvesting. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:9
212 Not to gather the misformed clusters of grapes. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:10
213 Not to gather single fallen grapes during the vintage. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:10
214 Not to return for a forgotten sheaf. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:19
215 Not to sow diverse kinds of seed in one field, kalayim. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:19
216 Not to sow grain or vegetables in a vineyard. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:9
217 Not to crossbreed animals of different species. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:19
218 Work not with two different kinds of animals together. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:10
219 Muzzle not animal working field to prevent from eating. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:4
220 Not to cultivate the soil in the 7th year, shemittah. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:4
221 Not to prune the trees in the 7th year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:4
222 Reap not self-grown plant in 7th year as ordinary year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:5
223 Gather not self-grown fruit in 7th year as ordinary year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:5
224 Not to till the earth or prune trees in Jubilee year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:11
225 Reap not after-growths of Jubilee year as ordinary year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:11
226 Not to gather fruit in Jubilee year as in ordinary year. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:11
227 Sell not one’s Eretz Yisrael land holdings permanently. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:23
228 Not to sell / change the open lands of the Levites. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:33
229 Not to leave the Levites without support. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:19

Loans, Business, and the Treatment of Slaves

230 Not to demand payment of debts after 7th year Shmitah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:2
231 Not to refuse loan to poor because 7th year Shmitah is near. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:9
232 Not to deny charity to the poor. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:7
233 Not sending a Hebrew bondman away empty-handed. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:13
234 Not demanding payment from a debtor known unable to pay. Shemot (Exodus) 22:25
235 Not lending to another person at interest. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:37
236 Not borrowing from another person at interest. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:20
237 Not participating in an agreement involving interest. Shemot (Exodus) 22:25
238 Oppress not an employee by delaying paying his wages. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:13
239 Not taking a pledge from a debtor by force. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:10
240 Not keeping a poor man’s pledge when he needs it. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:12
241 Not taking any pledge from a widow. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:17
242 Not taking one’s business utensils in pledge. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:6
243 Not abducting a person. Shemot (Exodus) 20:13
244 Not stealing. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:11
245 Not robbing. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:13
246 Not fraudulently altering land boundaries / landmarker. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 19:14
247 Not usurping our debts and do not defraud. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:13
248 Not repudiating debts, denying receipt of loan / deposit. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:11
249 Not to swear falsely regarding another man’s property. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:11
250 Not wronging / deceiving one another in business. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:14
251 Not wronging / misleading one another even verbally. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:17
252 Not harming the stranger among you verbally. Shemot (Exodus) 22:21
253 Not injuring the stranger among you in business / trade. Shemot (Exodus) 22:21
254 Not handing over a slave who’s fled to Israel. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:15
255 Take no advantage of a slave who’s fled to Israel. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:16
256 Not afflicting the orphans and widows. Shemot (Exodus) 22:22
257 Not employing a Hebrew bondman in degrading tasks. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:39
258 Not selling a Hebrew bondman. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:42
259 Not treating a Hebrew bondman cruelly. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:43
260 Not allowing a heathen to mistreat a Hebrew bondman. Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:53
261 Not selling a Hebrew maidservant. and if you marry her… Shemot (Exodus) 21:8
…withhold not: food, raiment, or conjugal rights. Shemot (Exodus) 21:10
263 Not selling a captive woman. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:14
264 Not treating a captive woman as a slave. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:14
265 Not coveting another man’s possessions or property, etc. Shemot (Exodus) 20:17
266 Covet not another’s possessions, even the desire forbidden. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 5:21
267 A worker is not to cut down standing grain during work. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:25
268 A hired laborer not to take more fruit than he can eat. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:24
269 Not ignoring lost property to be returned to its owner. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:3
270 Refuse not to help man or animal collapsing with burden. Shemot (Exodus) 23:5
271 Not cheating or defrauding with measurements and weights. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:35
272 Not to possess false or inaccurate weights and measures. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:13

Justice

273 A Judge is not to commit unrighteousness. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:15
274 A Judge is not to accept bribes / gifts from litigants. Shemot (Exodus) 23:8
275 A Judge is not to favor (be partial to) a litigant. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:15
276 Judge not avoid justice being in fear of wicked person. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 1:17
277 A Judge not to decide in favor of poor man, out of pity. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:15
278 A Judge is not to discriminate against the poor. Shemot (Exodus) 23:6
279 Judge not to pity one who killed or caused loss of limb. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 19:13
280 A Judge not perverting justice due strangers or orphans. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:17
281 Judge not to hear one litigant in absence of the other. Shemot (Exodus) 23:1
282 Court may not convict by majority of one in capital case. Shemot (Exodus) 23:2
283 Judge accept not colleague’s opinion, unless sure right. Shemot (Exodus) 23:2
284 Not appointing an unlearned judge ignorant of the Torah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 1:17
285 Not bearing false witness. Shemot (Exodus) 20:16
286 A Judge is not to receive a wicked man’s testimony. Shemot (Exodus) 23:1
287 A Judge receive not testimony from litigant’s relatives. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:16
288 Not convicting on the testimony of a single witness. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 19:15
289 Not murdering a human being. Shemot (Exodus) 20:13
290 No conviction based on circumstantial evidence alone. Shemot (Exodus) 23:7
291 A witness must not sit as a Judge in capital cases. Bamidbar (Numbers) 35:30
292 Not killing a murderer without trial and conviction. Bamidbar (Numbers) 35:12
293 Not to pity or spare the life of a pursuer. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:12
294 Not punishing a person for a sin committed under duress. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:26
295 Not accepting ransom from an unwitting murderer. Bamidbar (Numbers) 35:31
296 Not accepting a ransom from a wilful murderer. Bamidbar (Numbers) 35:32
297 Hesitate not to save life of another person in danger. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:16
298 Not leaving obstacles on public or private domain. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:8
299 Not misleading another by giving wrong advice. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:14
300 Inflict not more than assigned number lashes to guilty. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:2, 3
301 Not to tell tales. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:16
302 Not to bear hatred in your heart toward your brethren. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:17
303 Not to put one another to shame. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:17
304 Not to take vengeance on another. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:18
305 Not to bear a grudge. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:18
306 Not to take entire bird’s nest, mother and her young. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:6
307 Not to shave a leprous scall. Vayikra (Leviticus) 13:33
308 Not to cut or cauterize (remove) other signs of leprosy. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:8
309 Plow not a valley where slain body found, eglah arufah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:
310 Not permitting a witch / sorcerer to live. Shemot (Exodus) 22:18
311 Take not bridegroom from home in first year of marriage. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:5
312 Not to differ from or disobey the Cohanim and the Judge. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:11
313 Not to add to the Mitzvot / commandments of Torah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:32
314 Not to detract from the Mitzvot / commandments of Torah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:32
315 Not to curse a judge. Shemot (Exodus) 22:28
316 Not to curse a ruler. Shemot (Exodus) 22:28
317 Not to curse any person. Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:14
318 Not cursing parents. Shemot (Exodus) 21:17
319 Not to strike parents. Shemot (Exodus) 21:15
320 Not to work on Shabbat. Shemot (Exodus) 20:10
321 Not to walk beyond permitted limits, eruv, on Shabbat. Shemot (Exodus) 16:29
322 Not to inflict punishment on the Shabbat. Shemot (Exodus) 35:3
323 Not to work on the first day of Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 12:16
324 Not to work on the seventh day of Pesach (Passover). Shemot (Exodus) 12:16
325 Not to work on Shavuot (Pentecost). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:21
326 Not to work on Rosh HaShannah (Head of Year). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:25
327 Not to work on the first day of Sukkot (Booths). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:35
328 Work not 8th-day / Shemini-Atzeret, (after Hoshana Rabba). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:36
329 Not to work on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:28

Incest and Other Forbidden Relationships

330 No relations with one’s mother. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:7
331 No relations with one’s father’s wife. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:8
332 No relations with one’s sister. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:9
333 No relations with step-sister. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:11
334 No relations with one’s son’s daughter. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:10
335 No relations with one’s daughter’s daughter. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:10
336 No relations with one’s daughter. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:10
337 No relations with a woman and her daughter. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:17
338 No relations with a woman and her son’s daughter. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:17
339 No relations with a woman and her daughter’s daughter. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:17
340 No relations with one’s father’s sister. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:12
341 No relations with one’s mother’s sister. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:13
342 No relations with wife of father’s brother. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:14
343 No relations with one’s son’s wife. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:15
344 No relations with brother’s wife. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:16
345 No relations with sister of wife, during wife’s life. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:18
346 No relations with a menstruant. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:19
347 No relations with another man’s wife. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:20
348 Men may not lie with beasts. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:23
349 Women may not lie with beasts. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:23
350 A man may not lie carnally with another man. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:22
351 A man may not lie carnally with his father. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:7
352 A man may not lie carnally with his father’s brother. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:14
353 Not to be intimate with a kinswoman. Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:6
354 A mamzer may not have relations with a Jewess. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:2
355 No relations (harlotry) with a woman outside marriage. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:17
356 Remarry not your divorced wife after she has remarried. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:4
357 Childless widow marry none except late husbands brother. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:5
358 Divorce not wife, that he has to marry after raping her. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:29
359 Divorce not wife, after falsely slandering her. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:19
360 Man unable of procreation (eunuch) not to marry Jewess. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:1
361 Not to castrate a man or beast. Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:24

The Monarchy

362 Not appointing a king who is not of the seed of Israel. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:15
363 A king not to accumulate an excess number of horses. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:16
364 A king not taking many wives. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:17
365 A king may not amass great personal wealth. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:17

Click here for another list of the 613 commandments.

[1] 1 Cor. 13:13

[2] 1 Jn. 4:16

[3] Literally in Hebrew: the Ten Words (Utterances or Sayings)

[4] Don’t let the 5th commandment (to honor your father and mother) throw you off. The Sages teach that this commandment is indeed teaching one how to love Adonai as one’s parents are “co-creators” with HaShem to produce you. Moreover, their authority in your life is a picture of the relationship you should have with Adonai. So, after considering the role that parents play in the life of a child, it becomes clear that the 5th commandment does in fact deal with loving the LORD. “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. ‘Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the LORD your God. (Lev. 19:2-3, see also Mark 7:9-13)

[5] There are those that count over a thousand “commandments” in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament)! http://www.cai.org/bible-studies/1050-new-testament-commands

[6] Strong’s H8451; also be sure to look up the Hebrew root: H3384.

[7] “So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? “Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law (Torah) which I am setting before you today?

(Dt. 4:6-8)

[8] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:23-25ff)

[9] I first heard this great analogy from one of the many gifted teachers at Lamb Fellowship. Sadly, I cannot remember which one, though I believe it was Travis Berry. Whoever it was, I thank you for presenting this in such a simple yet profound manner. It certainly has stuck with me. (:

Categories: Study Helps | Tags: 613 commandments, 613 mitzvot, Law, Law of Moses, Love, Love YHWH, Love your Neighbor, Ten Commandments, Ten words, Torah, Two Tablets | 4 Comments

Under the Covers

Posted on September 21, 2013 by K. Gallagher

Taking Refuge in the Fall Feast Days

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold”. Psalm 18:2

All quotes taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

One thing that all people have in common is the desire to feel safe, secure, protected, and sheltered. As a matter of fact, one of our strongest survival instincts is to find or build a shelter. We desire a covering to protect us from the wind, rain, cold, wild beasts, and other elements of nature. Our Creator placed these instincts within each one of us. These desires prolong our lives and ensure the survival of mankind. If the natural world, including our innate instincts, is to teach us spiritual truths[1], then what do these most basic drives teach us about our relationship to God?

When do we desire to be “covered”? Is it not when we are cold, sick, tired, frightened, distressed, or even depressed? Conversely, we may desire to be “covered” when we are praying and worshipping, and when we are nursing a child or being intimate with our spouse. Ironically, all of these instances are related when we look into the Word of God. Certain aspects of our emotional, spiritual, and physical lives require a shield of protection. Whether the “covering” protects us from danger, comforts our ailments, or covers our nakedness, it is a type of shield, hedge, and defense. In other words, it is the protection that we all need and desire. Abraham, our father in faith, was assured that this “shield” he desired would be provided.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great. (Gen. 15:1)

The Hebrew word for shield in this verse is magen (mem, gimel, nun) and it does indeed mean a shield of protection. What is fascinating is that it comes from the same root as garden or gan (gimel, nun). The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible describes this word pictographically as “a gathering of seeds”. This is easy to relate to a garden, but how does it relate to a shield and other cognates like protection and a basin? A garden, such as the Garden of Eden, is a protected place; it is surrounded on all sides. Likewise, a basin has a ledge or hedge about it. These concrete images give us a vivid picture of what it means for YHWH to “shield” or protect us.

You see, it is not that there is no danger, predators, or enemies; rather, it is that there is a covering of protection that surrounds us. This shield is clearly depicted when HaSatan observes the life of Job.

Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? “Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (Job 1:9-10)

The Hebrew word for hedge in this verse is suk, the root for sukkah (booth, shelter, covering). Our gracious Father had placed a “spiritual” sukkah around Job and all that was his. Since we are in the Season of our Joy, the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, I find that it is most appropriate that we understand how the moedim (particularly the fall feasts) portray this heavenly covering that YHWH provides for us.

Tight Places

Before we explore the heavenly hedge of YHWH, it is imperative that we understand what is outside the protected place. Nowhere in the Bible are we promised a life without trials, tribulations, and hardships. While some naïvely teach the contrary, the truth is that without the proverbial “thorn in our side” we would never learn to rely on God’s grace and mercy. Sadly, our trust would be nothing more than self-reliance which would result in an empty, anxious, and lifeless walk.

The Hebrew word tsar is usually translated as enemy(-ies), adversaries, trouble, distress, affliction, and tribulation. But what it really implies is a “tight place”. It is literally something that presses or weighs upon you. In fact, it is the root word for Mitzrayim (Egypt). Egypt was certainly a place where the Israelites had heavy burdens laid upon them. YHWH redeemed them from this bondage with a mighty hand and brought them into the wilderness with a promise: a land flowing with milk and honey.

This is what happens to us when YHWH redeems us from the bondage of sin and death. We, like our ancient Israelite counterparts, have the promise of the “Land” that flows with milk and honey. What we tend to skip over in our theology and in our thinking is the wilderness. Once we are “saved”, we assume all is well — heaven awaits our arrival. But this isn’t the end of the story; it is the beginning! We must first endure the wild and dangerous wilderness. It is harsh, hot, and dry. It is treacherous. It is uncultivated and infertile. It will require us to relinquish everything over to a holy God just to survive. And the testimony of our ancient brethren proves that not everyone endures the trials of the desert.

The seemingly broadness of the wilderness becomes a tight place of pressing. But this “pressing” isn’t like the bondage of Egypt, sin, or death (though sometimes it may feel that way). Instead, we find ourselves being squeezed and molded by the Potter’s Hands into the image of the Son. While we may have left Egypt, we discover that Egypt is still in us. And so we have similar adages even in English to express this all too painful truth: “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”. But our Great Elohim sets out to do what we consider impossible. He not only removes us physically from the bondage of Egypt, He also removes Egypt from within us.

If we pay close attention, it becomes evident that while it is amazingly miraculous how He redeems a whole nation from the bondage of slavery, it is even more amazing how He removes Egypt from us! This is the lesson of the wilderness. And this is the reason we celebrate Sukkot, the last pilgrimage festival on YHWH’s holy calendar.

‘You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. ‘You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.'” (Lev. 23:41-43)

By yearly walking out YHWH’s cycle of divine appointment times (feast days), we are reminded not only of our past and present, but of our future hope. These guideposts encourage and strengthen us; thus, providing the coverings and shelters that protect us from the scorching heat of the desert. They press us to be sure, but they also shield us as we are molded into the image of Yeshua.

Those of you that have committed to follow our Holy Elohim and walk in His “ancient paths” have most likely discovered that while there is great joy and fulfillment in meeting the Creator at His appointed times, there is also great testing, pressing, and often distress. It is hard! Our immaturity may cause us to assume that perhaps the difficulty is a sign that we are on the “wrong” path. But Yeshua reminds us that the true path is “narrow”; it is a tight place! We must expect to be pressed. We learn that the easy way is in reality the “broad” path.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mat. 7:13-14)

I am always baffled by the multitudes that teach the opposite of what Yeshua and Scripture clearly reveals. Therefore, if you find yourself being pressed in on all sides when YHWH’s appointments come around, rejoice! You are indeed on the narrow and tight path! Consider that the Father is pruning and shaping you into the image of Yeshua and at the same time He is expelling the Egypt that remains in your members. This brings new meaning to the phrase, “It hurts so good!”

The Hedge

Our tight places cause us to cry out to the Most High and He becomes the Strong Tower of Refuge that satisfies our distressed souls.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress (tzar); have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. (Ps. 4:1 KJV)

The above verse depicts David crying out to God when he finds himself in a tzar (a tight place of pressing). Many translations simply say God brings “relief” to his distress, but the King James Version actually captures the Hebrew much better. Notice it says that God enlarges or broadens David. This is exactly what YHWH does for you and me. Just when we think we can take no more, He broadens us just enough that we sigh with relief. The Refiner’s Fire is hot, but it is fueled by the cool spiritual heat of heaven. Unlike the pressing of sin and death, the hot coals of heaven’s altar only burns our impurities. There is a promise of Life, not death.

The hedges found in the fall moedim (feast days) teach us all about the cool heat of the shamayim (heavens in Hebrew, but literally “fire-waters”). These fires burn wickedness and flesh in righteous judgment. When we are covered by the blood of the Lamb, we can withstand these fiery trials.

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1Cor. 3:12-16)

Thus, we must learn to rejoice when we find ourselves in the heavenly fire. If you have heard the great blast from the heavenly shofar and eternity burns in your heart, you are already aware that the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) has awakened you to the approaching bridegroom. But, in order to have enough oil, you will be pressed and crushed like the olives that fuel our lamps. Therefore, rejoice Bat Tzion (Daughter of Zion)!

Though it may seem odd that part of our covering is in fact heavenly fire, and that it sometimes hurts, we know that it cleanses us so we may eventually enter the bridal chamber. This brings us to the most solemn and holy day on YHWH’s calendar, the Day of Atonements. This is judgment day. If you are burning in a holy fire right now, rejoice, for your judgment day will also be your wedding day. Like the High Priest, you are covered and clothed in the red blood of the slain Lamb that appears as pure white light. Anointed with precious oil, enveloped with rich, sweet clouds of incense, eyes illuminated with only the holy seven tongues of fire of the golden menorah of YHWH’s Spirit, the bride is brought under the heavenly chuppah[2] and is forever bound in matrimony to her King. This hope is why we endure. And there is more to this promise; Sukkot awaits us.

The Sukkah

The fragile and flimsy appearance of the sukkah is the epitome of weakness to the natural man. See through walls and a leaky roof do not scream comfort or security — the thing we most long for. But, this is the structure that God beckons us to enter. Outside there are real threats, real enemies, and real elements. When we look at the sukkah, we cannot possibly see how this rickety thing is going to protect us from so many dangers. Surely the more permanent house we’ve built with our own hands offers more protection.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell–and great was its fall.” (Mat. 7:21-27)

Only the House that YHWH builds is founded upon the Rock. All other structures are built on sand. When testing, trials, and storms arise (and they always do), only YHWH’s sukkah will remain standing. Thus, we are faced with a seeming paradox. What appears strong to us is in fact weak, and what appears weak is strong!

We must be willing to leave the “appearance” of security and embark on a treacherous journey through the wild with our bridegroom. He is mysterious and magnificent. He isn’t safe or tame. The real question is, “Do you trust Him anyway?” His promise isn’t a life sheltered from life itself. No, the promise is abundant life. An abundant life is abundantly full. But full of what?

It’s not full of worldly riches and things that will pass away. It’s full of experiences, challenges, and well… life. The Hebrew letter nun means life and its pictograph is a fish in movement. The journey is wild and rushing like a river. It tosses you here and there. Up and down. Side to side. Are you afraid? Don’t be. YHWH’s love is relentless and constantly moving. It is exciting, but it is not comfortable. Comfort is complacent and lifeless.

Our natural man and instincts hates this “uncontrolled” God that we serve. It is foolishness to them. Yet, this reckless abandon is exactly what YHWH desires from us. He calls us into the wilderness, the great unknown wild. It is there He speaks tenderly to us — in the midst of our vulnerability.

“Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown. (Jer. 2:2)

This is our covering at Sukkot. Following YHWH in the wilderness, through a land not sown. If we love Him, we will follow. Though we are vulnerable to the wildness, our little movable shelter sustains us with the promise that One day, we will have a permanent home with our Beloved.

Is this not what real faith (trust) is all about? Are we not called to be strong and courageous in the face of life’s many uncertainties? Do you trust Him…anyway? In light of all this, the sukkah becomes a beacon, a landmark for what faith actually is! When you sit in your sukkah this year, look at its flimsy walls, partially thatched roof, and open door. It may look like it offers little protection and is anything but secure, yet we know YHWH’s sukkah is the perfect shelter for the wild world He created. Experience it with Him. The promise isn’t a life without danger; the promise is that He will walk through it with you. Follow wherever He goes, for there is a special prize for those that serve and follow Him with reckless abandonment.

And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (Rev. 14:2-4)

Oh dear one, don’t you want to learn this song and serenade the King of Kings? It will cost you everything, but you will be given all. The sukkah will be replaced with the New Jerusalem. Enjoy it while you can. Experience the wild and untamed King that we serve. Do hard things. Be stubborn in only one thing: in your reckless abandon to the Most High. Run into the flapping tents walls and snuggle up under the canopy of the stars and palm branches. Smell the sweet incense and look for the golden glow of the menorah. It’s all here—right now. Just open your eyes and ears. When the bottom drops out from under you, know that you are simply moving onto a new and exciting adventure with YHWH. Our duty is to remain steadfast, period. We don’t have to understand all the “whys” of life; we must simply trust Him like a child.

There is good news. Jerusalem of Gold awaits the pitter-pat of your precious little feet! Every tear will be wiped away! Then those things that are hidden will be revealed; we will realize that YHWH had every second, every circumstance, and every nuance under His direction and control. And we will know that all along we were indeed covered in perfect security with His heavenly pinions.

Fear not son or daughter of Abraham, for I, YHWH, am a shield and a covering sukkah to you. Your reward for walking through the tight places and trusting me even when your circumstances appeared bleak will be great. For you will see my sukkah with new spiritual eyes and know that no other earthly structure could have ever sustained you. — my paraphrase of Gen. 15:1

[1] 1 Cor. 15:46

[2] The wedding canopy or covering. The chuppah is meant to symbolize the sukkah: http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/30529/think-of-sukkot-as-a-joyous-wedding-under-the-chuppah/

Categories: Moedim | Tags: chuppah, covering, Faith, fall feasts, heavenly coverings, hedge, magen, Moedim, protection, shield, sukkah, Sukkot, Tabernacles, tight place, trust, tzar | 1 Comment

Monthly Archives: September 2013